Mandatory COVID-19 isolation periods scrapped from October 14

Rules forcing people to isolate for five days if they test positive to COVID-19 will end from October 14 for everyone, with support for some workers to be able to continue isolation if needed.

States will determine how to implement the change, but national cabinet agreed to continue targeted financial support for casual workers in aged care, disability care, Aboriginal health care and hospital care.

Support payments for people infected with COVID-19 who are not in those sectors will also end from October 14, with payments that continue to be funded equally by the Commonwealth and individual states or territories.

Scrapping mandatory isolation marks the end of one of the last remaining pandemic restrictions.

Key points:

• Mandatory COVID isolation will end from October 14

• Financial support will be continued for some workers to be able to isolate if needed

• The chief medical officer says it marks the likely end of the emergency pandemic response