SA Premier backs push to scrap Covid isolation rules

Peter Malinauskas is backing a push to abandon the five-day mandatory isolation period – the last remaining Covid rule. Do you think it should be axed?

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet will use Friday’s national cabinet meeting to call for the country to abandon the five-day mandatory isolation period for Covid-19.

Mr Perrottet said it was time for the country to collectively shift in its management of the virus by scrapping the compulsory isolation period altogether.

“I believe we need to get to a point where if you’re sick you stay at home, and if you’re not, you get out and about and enjoy life,” Mr Perrottet said.

“It’s always a balance between the public health, broader health issues like mental health, social wellbeing and economic and financial issues facing people across our state”.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas and Health Minister Chris Picton. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas agreed, saying “national consistency” was crucial.

“I have been clear that national consistency along with the health advice are paramount considerations when it comes to Covid-19 restrictions,” he said.

Mr Perrottet said he would like the change in policy to be consistent across the country.

“I certainly believe we need to keep taking steps forward as a nation when it comes to Covid. I believe we have made great inroads as a national cabinet,” he said.

“We’ve made steps in the right direction, reducing isolation from seven days to five days.

“I will continue to argue and work with my fellow premiers across the country to get to that point.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet will push to have Covid isolation requirements scrapped at tomorrow’s national cabinet meeting. Picture: Monique Harmer

Infectious Disease expert Professor Peter Collignon agreed with Mr Perrottet’s move away from public health orders.

“My own view is provided that people don’t go to work and intermingle when they have symptoms, we are heading that way (to no isolation),” he said.

“We‘ve done it in stages. The bottom line is if you’re unwell, you need to stay away from others. That‘s more effective than an arbitrary four, five or seven days.”

Currently, people who test positive have to isolate for five days. Picture: Fiona Goodall

Prof Collignon said there was no need for another vaccine roll out until at least winter.

“There is not a lot of rush for Australians to do it now. Our next big rush period will be next winter.

“The good news for Australia is, unless something unexpected happens, what happens in December and January in US Canada and Europe will tell us what we need to do and which age groups will need more protection,” he said.

“What‘s very clear is people over the age of 70 need one booster shot and preferably two. For People under 40, especially if they’ve had an infection, it’s not clear if they need a booster.

“Three of a vaccine are fairly common for a lot of vaccines to get long lasting protection”

Originally published as SA Premier backs push to scrap Covid isolation rules