The Victorian Liberal Nationals are calling for an overhaul of COVID isolation requirements to ensure Victorian families can continue to access the vital healthcare and everyday essentials they need.
Over recent weeks, Victoria’s testing system has become completely overwhelmed as the lack of access to rapid antigen tests (RAT) leaves too many critical healthcare and supply chain workers isolating in limbo.
As a consequence, Victorians have faced increasingly empty shelves and purchase limits as COVID related absences have reached more than 20 per cent of distribution centre and 10 per cent of store staff across local supermarkets.
Worse still, in major hospitals more than seven per cent of healthcare workers are currently unable to work due to confirmed cases or household exposures with this figure expected to rise to up to 15 per cent over coming weeks.
The current situation is untenable and without a real solution, Victorian families will be denied the basic healthcare and everyday essentials they need.
That’s why the Liberal Nationals are calling on the State Government to immediately overhaul isolation requirements for all healthcare and critical supply chain workers by;
- Removing the isolation requirement for fully vaccinated Victorians living with a COVID positive case.
- Require an individual living with a COVID positive case take a RAT every day for seven days and isolate if any of those tests are positive.
These arrangements mirror those currently in place in the United Kingdom and will allow thousands of critical staff to return to work keeping shelves stocked and delivering the essential healthcare Victorians deserve.
Comments attributable to Victorian Liberal Leader, Matthew Guy:
“Current isolation requirements are unworkable and have left families struggling to access the basic healthcare and everyday items they need.
“This common-sense change will help keep shelves stocked and hospitals staffed so local communities can recover and rebuild.”
Comments attributable to Leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh:
“Regional communities and businesses are being brought to a stand-still by the current unworkable isolation rules.
“Our plan will help keep regional hospitals and health clinics open and get supplies of fresh food, meats, medication and other essentials where they are needed sooner.”
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier:
“Isolation requirements are seeing hospitals understaffed and overwhelmed as Victorians are left unable to get the timely care they deserve.
“Under our plan, healthcare workers will be back on the job sooner – meaning a better prepared healthcare system that can provide support to Victorians when they need it.”