On Saturday 16th July 2022, National Cabinet held an emergency meeting to discuss the latest COVID wave, the so-called ‘Third Wave’, which is being driven by BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub variants.
Specifically, Cabinet agreed to reinstate the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment to 30th September 2022. Eligibility for the payment will be backdated to 1st July 2022, to ensure that anyone unable to work owing to isolation requirements in this period, without access to paid sick leave, is supported. Access to these payments will commence from Wednesday 20th July, with existing eligibility requirements to continue.
In addition, the Federal Government is also reinstating the Crisis Payment – National Health Emergency (COVID-19) until 30th September 2022, with eligibility also to be backdated to 1st July 2022. This will ensure people affected by COVID-19 isolation requirements who receive an income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance, and who are in severe financial hardship, continue to receive support through the winter period.
The Government has further agreed to create a new, temporary telehealth item so GPs can spend longer with their patients to assess their suitability for oral COVID-19 antivirals. This will enable those most vulnerable to COVID-19 to quickly access medical treatments and help ease the burden on hospitals. You can find out more about antivirals HERE.
Last week the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation __(ATAGI) recommended an additional COVID-19 winter booster for people aged 50 and over, and other people at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, such as:
- older people
- people living in aged__ care
- people living in disability care
- Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander peoples, after discussion with their doctor or clinician
- people over the age of 16 who are immunocompromised, as defined by their doctor or clinician
- pregnant women aged 30 to 50 after discussion with their doctor or clinician.
Also last week, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPC) revised its advice about COVID reinfection period from 12 weeks to 28 days.
We recommend that you keep abreast of the changing COVID landscape by checking the NSW Health website on a frequent basis: COVID-19 | NSW Government
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