Pandemic payments for casual workers who test positive for COVID-19 have been extended over the summer period.
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Speaking from Kirribilli House in Sydney, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday national cabinet had agreed to continue the relief payments for workers in high risk settings.
"We are moving towards managing COVID-19 like any respiratory illness but in a way that keeps Australians safe and protected," he said.
"National cabinet will monitor the need for the payment to continue."
The financial support is available to employees who do not have access to sick leave and cannot go to work because they have caught the virus.
High risk settings include aged care homes, hospital care, disability care and prisons.
Mandatory five-day isolation requirements for positive cases ended in mid-October.
But employees in high risk settings still need to stay away from work if they catch COVID.
The leaders at the meeting received a briefing on the COVID situation from acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd.
Australian Associated Press
