Rule change
Nurse peak slams relaxed Covid rules .
By Elise Hartevelt
Australia ’ s major nursing peak has said the government ’ s significant lowering of Covid-19 restrictions will place increased pressure on the nation ’ s healthcare system .
As of October , the mandatory selfisolation period for people with Covid ended across Australian states and territories , along with the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment for casual workers .
An exception was made for those working in high-risk settings , such as hospital , aged and disability care , where employees can receive payments of $ 450 or $ 750 to isolate if they ’ ve tested positive .
NSW also joined Victoria in scrapping the mandatory reporting of positive RAT tests , which before could ’ ve led to a $ 1,000 fine .
Federal Assistant Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Association ( ANMF ), Lori-Anne Sharp , said she is worried that eased restrictions will send the wrong message to the public . “ We know it ’ s not over ,” she said . “ It ’ s a risk to remove all Covid safety precautions that will increase cases and place further stress on our already stretched health and aged care systems .
“ And we were yet to see the real impact of dropping the isolation period from seven to five days , let alone removing the isolation period altogether .”
Australia has clocked in over 10.3 million Covid cases since 2020 , with the largest number of infections in NSW and Victoria .
The average number of 7-day hospitalisations is at its lowest since the start of this year .
While most restrictions have eased , those employed in high-risk settings such as disability and aged care are still required to wear facemasks and be fully vaccinated .
“ We ’ re concerned that removing most Covid restrictions and all isolation periods , particularly in the context of uncertainty regarding the emergence of all the new variants and potential waning of immunity , will put extra pressure on the healthcare systems ,” Sharp said .
The decision to let go of the compulsory self-isolation period came from the national cabinet last week after Australia had seen a period of low Covid cases and high vaccination rates .
Although casual workers outside highrisk settings have to decide between going into the office sick or using up their leave , the government kept the funding for healthcare workers .
If , for example , a nurse would ’ ve worked 20 hours or more during the self-isolation period , they can receive a payment of $ 750 . When someone would ’ ve had shifts covering fewer than 20 hours but more than eight , they are eligible to receive $ 450 .
This claim can only be used three times within six months .
Yet , Sharp said that those working outside of high-risk settings might not selfisolate and spread the virus through the community .
“ The sad reality is that Covid is not over .
“ We ’ re going to see people out there who don ’ t even know they have Covid and who might spread it in the community , and that ’ s going to have consequences on the healthcare system ,” she said .
“ The suggestion that Covid-isolation is a matter of ‘ personal responsibility ’ is just a way of governments shifting their responsibility onto the individual when it should be theirs .
“ The government must also be ‘ flexible enough ’ to reinstate public health precautions to prevent escalating cases , further healthcare crises , and risk of increases in chronic disease burden from long Covid .”
A recent study found that more than one in ten Australians has had long Covid – a version where symptoms lasted longer than four weeks . Nearly 5 per cent reported having symptoms longer than three months .
Around three-quarters of those with long Covid experienced a runny nose or sneezing , sore throat , and a cough , and close to half reported a low mood . The complexities of the longerlasting infection , including extensive healthcare management and the psychological toll it might take on the person , may become a cause of concern for hospitals and GPs .
Sharp said that healthcare workers are exhausted and are undergoing moral distress because they lack the resources and staff to deliver the care people need .
“ Everyone ’ s completely over Covid – it just had such a dramatic impact and disruption to people ’ s lives and the stress it ’ s caused ,” she said .
She said many healthcare workers had their leave cancelled during the summer wave last year in December , and they ’ ve been working double and triple shifts over the past years during the pandemic .
“ It has placed so much stress on the healthcare workers .
“ But while we all want the pandemic to end , the sad reality is that Covid is not over .
“ We must continue to do all we can to prevent further pressure on our healthcare system and the precious nurses , midwives and carers who hold it together .” ■ agedcareinsite . com . au 17