$250 payment for casual workers will ease financial burden of taking time off for virus test

The State Government has extended emergency relief funding to casual and low-income workers who need to take time off for testing, to prevent future outbreaks of the dreaded virus.

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A STATE Government COVID-19 emergency relief fund introduced as a helping hand for those required to self-isolate has been extended to cover more circumstances in an attempt to prevent future outbreaks of the dreaded virus.

Premier Peter Gutwein said $250 one-off payments would be paid to casual and low-income individuals and families, and temporary visa holders, to stay away from their workplace if they were sick and awaiting a coronavirus test result.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein during the COVID-19 update. Picture: Chris Kidd

Previously, the measure included payments for individuals and families who were required to self-isolate due to COVID-19, but the criteria has now been extended.

It will be paid up to a maximum of $1000 per family.

Mr Gutwein said there were learnings from the experience of Victoria, which has been ravaged by the virus in recent weeks and now has more than 7500 active cases.

“Victorians were turning up to work when they were unwell ... and it obviously has assisted to embed the community transmission that they have across the state,’’ he said.

“We want to ensure that the lessons from Victoria are learned here. I want to make crystal clear to Tasmanians that if you are unwell, don’t go to work.

“If you are in a position where you do not have access to paid sick leave, then we will extend that grant to you so you don’t suffer financially whilst you take the test and take some time off work.

“Because what is really important here is there is no point turning up for a test because you feel unwell and then going and doing a shift.

“If you get tested we want you to stay home at home and self-isolate until you get the result.”

Meanwhile, Mr Gutwein said Prime Minister Scott Morrison had written to him on Thursday to offer to affected Tasmanians a one-off $1500 pandemic leave payment from the Commonwealth in the event someone is required to self-isolate or quarantine.

Mr Gutwein said that payment would be available to support people if they needed to self-isolate, either after receiving a positive test or being a close contact of somebody who had.

Tasmania has recorded 227 cases of coronavirus, but only one since May 15, which was detected in hotel quarantine and who has since recovered from the illness.

Acting Director of Public Health Scott McKeown said Tasmanians were likely to be experiencing two emotions — fear and complacency.

Acting Director of Public Health Scott McKeown during the COVID-19 update. Picture Chris Kidd

“It’s very understandable that we can be fearful of an outbreak in Tasmania, similar to what we’re seeing Victoria is currently experiencing,’’ he said.

“It would be devastating to go through such a large outbreak — the impact on our lives, our families, our communities and our businesses.

“Yet we can also feel complacent when there are no current cases in Tasmania and that complacency can be in thinking that there is no threat out there and that maybe we can all live as though COVID is over and maybe we can all return to life before.”

But Dr McKeown said Tasmanians needed to balance feelings of fear and complacency with an understanding of the layers of protection, including strong border measures, personal hygiene and physical distancing.

He said the health system was well prepared for any future cases.