Victoria’s top business group is asking the federal government not to continue with COVID support payments one more day than necessary.
Key points:
- Victoria Chamber of Commerce and Industry says support payments would be justified if they prevented a widespread outbreak of COVID
- Nurses hope payments help contain transmission and alleviate overflowing hospital system
- The state government is hiring an additional 400 employees to support stressed Victorian hospitals
The state is currently battling an outbreak of COVID that puts enormous pressure on the health care system, with the number of Victorians in hospital with the virus nearly doubling over the past month.
A quick national cabinet meeting on Saturday agreed to extend a scheme offering $ 750 to Australians who tested positive but did not have access to sick leave.
There had been growing pressure on the government after the scheme expired on 30 June, with concern that vulnerable Australians could not afford to isolate themselves despite having the virus.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the decision was made in recognition of the risks associated with new, more infectious variants of COVID-19.
“I want to make sure that people are not left behind, that vulnerable people are cared for and that no one is faced with the unenviable option of not being able to isolate themselves properly without losing income and without getting into a situation that it’s very difficult, ”he said.
Payment has been extended until September 30 and is also available for people who need to stay home and care for a person with COVID-19, including under-16s or a person with a disability, as well. as for close contacts.
Business leaders acknowledge that the pandemic is not over
The head of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Paul Guerra, praised the announcement, but said the government must make sure to maintain the balance between supporting people in need and borrowing the economy. .
“The federal government has told us that the pandemic is not over,” Guerra said.
“The current wave seems to be stronger than we might think at first, so we think it’s good to support those who need it.
“That said, we would like to make sure they come out as soon as the current risk ends so we can speed up our path as we recover from COVID.”
Paul Guerra said the government must make sure to maintain the balance between supporting people in need and borrowing the economy. (ABC News)
Guerra said the cost of pandemic support payments would be justified if a more widespread outbreak could be avoided that could paralyze the country.
“Those who have access to sick leave and the like should be isolated anyway, but those who don’t, here’s the incentive they now have to make sure they don’t work when they could actually have COVID.” he said. .
Nurses, exhausted health workers
The Australian Federation of Nursing and Midwifery has praised state, territorial and federal leaders for rethinking their previous decision not to expand the scheme.
Federal Secretary Annie Butler said she will allow people to meet critical public health measures to try to contain the virus during the winter.
“Nurses and midwives and workers across the country, have now been in this pandemic for two and a half years, as we all are, but they have been on the front lines all along,” she said.
“They have also been the ones who have had to witness the deaths, working in extremely difficult circumstances. They are simply exhausted.”
More than 10,000 hospital workers were discharged in the first week of July alone. (Supplies: Alfred Hospital)
The Royal Australian College of GPs said the entire healthcare system is under stress, and President Karen Price urged the community to treat their doctors and reception staff with kindness.
“I think people are a little tired and a little burned out, and that includes everyone,” he said.
He said staff illnesses also affect GP clinics.
“There are a lot of staff absences due to illness and people have a hard time having to work very hard to provide the same level of service, so I think we’re all a little frustrated and we’re still in the middle of a very good situation. Severe pandemic “, he said.
Health officials said more than 10,000 hospital staff members were absent from work in the first week of July alone.
Pressure on the system is exacerbated by a massive jump from Victorians to hospital with COVID, which has risen 99 percent since June 22nd.
The government announces support for Victorian hospitals
Prime Minister Daniel Andrews on Sunday announced a $ 162 million package to hire about 400 additional staff for 12 major hospitals across the state to combat staff shortages.
He also said two private hospitals would have support for establishing emergency departments, but did not say which ones.
Two pediatric GP respiratory clinics will be set up at Royal Children’s and Monash Children’s Hospitals to prevent children from having to go to the emergency department if they suffer from COVID, flu, asthma or hay fever.
Daniel Andrews announced support for overflowing Victorian hospitals. (AAP: Diego Fedele)
Andrews said several factors put pressure on hospitals, causing delays.
“Winter is never easy in the health system and this winter is especially difficult due to the two open borders and a very unpleasant flu (many cases of flu) and an especially difficult flu strain and of course these subvariants. of Omicron “. He said.
Andrews said there will come a point where “finally there will be no period of isolation” for positive COVID-19 cases, but changing the rule now would put unbearable pressure on the system.
“There will come a time when we overcome this variant, we have a warmer climate, when we have fewer cases, when there is less pressure on our nurses and our healthcare system and both of us,” he said.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has called on Victorians to be vaccinated against COVID and to wear masks inside, although they are not required to do so except in limited environments such as public transport.
“Make sure you continue to wear masks wherever you are asked and in fact in indoor environments or in crowded spaces,” he said.