Abolition of COVID isolation rules could see hospitality staff return to work sooner
NSW might become the first state to abolish Covid isolation rules, with calls to allow healthy hospitality staff to work.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee is continuing its review of Covid isolation rules after NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard pushed for restrictions to ease.
“Close contact isolation recommendations are under review by AHPPC, and it would be preferable if all states and territories moved in unison on any changes,” Hazzard said.
The current rules require anyone living in the same household as a positive case to isolate for seven days, even if they test negative.
This rule has led to enormous staff shortages in the hospitality sector.
“NSW has already made some changes in relation to isolation arrangements in regard to particular industries and is keen to move forward as quickly as can be safely undertaken, albeit with health safeguards as a major focus,” he said.
Wes Lambert, chief executive of peak body Restaurants and Catering has also requested the government to listen to hospitality sector recommendations and get rid of current isolation rules.
“At a time when NSW faces one of the worst workforce shortages in history, we are keeping health staff locked up for a week at a time. We are supposed to be living with Covid, but it seems these rules are just going to go on in perpetuity,” he said.
Irit Jackson, 13th April 2022
