IsoIs rules for Covid scrapped today

COVID rules for isolation are being scrapped across the country from Friday as the government pulls away from restrictions.

From October 14, the federal government will end Covid isolation rules and support payments for most workers.

People who test positive for Covid will no longer have to isolate for five days.

Instead, isolation is only required while symptoms are presenting.

Pandemic leave disaster payments – paid to those who take time off work to isolate – will also end on Friday.

The payments will stay in place for casual workers who come down with Covid, though only in high-risk industries. Workers in aged care, disability care, Aboriginal health care and hospitals will be able to access the payments.

As people who test positive for Covid are no longer required to isolate, they can still go to work, the supermarket and other indoor areas.

They must still wear a mask in all indoor areas, with the exception of their own home.

Masks are still required in hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from this rule in all states except Victoria where children up to eight are exempt

Masks are also required in correctional facilities and justice centres.

Wearing a mask on public transport is still highly encouraged, as it is difficult to physically distance on buses, trains and light rail.

Chief medical officer Paul Kelly said while the pandemic was not over, there were low rates of Covid-19 community transmission and high vaccination rates.

“It does not in any way suggest that the pandemic is finished,” he said. “We will almost certainly see future peaks of the virus into the future, as we have seen earlier in this year.