Federal Health Minister asks Australians to work from home to curb Covid-19 cases

As the federal government claims there is ‘no room’ in the budget to keep Covid-19 support payments going it has urged Aussies to work from home as cases soar nationwide. Queensland is yet to issue a WFH request, but QPAC is among the first to bring back mask mandates.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has urged Australians to work from home where they can to curb rising Covid-19 and flu cases.

It comes as QPAC in Brisbane has confirmed patrons will again need to wear masks in the foyer and theatres in order to keep performances running.

Mr Butler said yesterday that the country was going through a “difficult period”, with more than 4400 Australians in hospital with Covid as of Tuesday.

The Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler. Picture: AAP Image/Morgan Sette

“Yes, I think we are going to go through a difficult period and if employers feel that there is the ability to continue their operations with that sort of change for a little period then I think the chief health officers are providing good advice,” he said.

“But employers will have to consider that given the circumstances that they’re facing now.

“There’s a level of fatigue there about being told what to do. So I think chief health officers, political leaders need to make sure that they calibrate their advice for this third wave in 2022 in a way that gets the best response and the best behavioural response from our community.”

Limited mask wearing in the Brisbane CBD last week, despite an increase in Covid and flu cases. Picture: David Clark

Businesses should be encouraged to make decisions about working from home based on their own personal circumstances, according to Jason Wales from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, who said managing Covid has become “second nature” for most workplaces across the state.

“Queensland businesses would by now have their Covid contingency and management plans in place and they know how to manage the impact on their business, workforce and customers, including if that means working from home for some businesses,” he said.

However, staff shortages are still creating a “significant” impact on businesses across the state, with Mr Wales saying some businesses are paying record high wage bills just to keep staff on.

“There are a number of factors contributing to this, including the recent pause on international migration, and a lack of available housing, however we know Covid and other illnesses are compounding on those shortages facing businesses,” he said.

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has been the first state health leader to ask employers to “consider working from home arrangements” where appropriate.

In Queensland, there are 860 people in hospital with Covid-19 including 12 in the ICU, as the state rides its third wave. The peak is not expected for a number of weeks, according to health authorities.

The work-from-home request comes as acting Prime Minister and Treasurer Jim Chalmers says there is “no room” in the federal budget to keep Covid-19 support payments and other pandemic assistance going.

The federal government is adamant it will not reinstate the $750 a week pandemic leave payment afforded to people who are forced to isolate for a week due to Covid-19 and cannot work, as well as the subsidised rapid antigen test program giving 10 free tests every 3 months to concession card holders.

This is despite significant backlash from unions and health groups saying the programs were still essential considering Australia is in the grips of a third Covid-19 wave for the year.

“The Covid support payments were designed by our predecessors to end at a certain point and to restart them would cost a considerable amount of money,” Dr Chalmers said.

“What we have tried to be is up-front about the challenges that we face in the Budget.

“Unfortunately, there is not room in the Budget for every good idea or to extend every program, even good ones, indefinitely.”

Dr Chalmers reiterated advise from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is currently in Fiji, for concession card holders to stock up on free RATs before the program finishes at the end of this month.

It will be around the same time when Dr Chalmers will hand down a detailed financial statement, designed to make clear the state of Australia’s books before the budget in October.

“Towards the end of this month when Parliament resumes I’ll be giving a very detailed ministerial statement to the parliament which will update our expectations for inflation, and growth and wages and what all of that means for our budget position as well,” he said.

“And I’ll be doing that because I want Australians to understand the gravity of the economic situation that we are in, but also not just the size of the challenge the shape of the challenge to inflation will get worse before it gets better, but it will get better.”

South Brisbane’s performance centre, QPAC, has requested patrons go back to wearing masks in the foyer and theatre in order to keep shows running.

The rules will be in place tomorrow according to a post on QPAC’s Facebook page that said the team was “determined” to continue running live performances.

“We know not everyone will love this, but we’re determined to keep delivering live performances to our audiences and ensure everyone’s health and safety,” the post said.

“If that means we all need to wear masks, we’re up for it and we know you are too.”