Following today’s national cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a relaxation of the rules to Covid-19 close contacts for workers across a number of key industries.
The move means those considered close contacts of a Covid-19 case will be able to return to work without isolating if they have tested negative on a rapid antigen test and are asymptomatic.
Morrison said the relaxed rules would be extended to those who work in transport, food logistics, healthcare and emergency services, childcare and education, law enforcement, correctional services, energy and water services, waste management, food, beverage and other critical goods supplies, telecommunications, data, broadcasting and media.
The new relaxed rules do not apply to those who work in hospitality.
“This is a constant daily process of balancing the need to keep people at work and to protect our hospitals. And that is why it changes almost daily. Because this balance changes daily,” said the Prime Minister.
The relaxed close-contact rules will apply to workers across the country. Earlier today, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced certain Victorian essential workers would be exempt from home isolation.
