Workers without sick leave to get $1,500 'disaster payment' as form of coronavirus leave in Victoria - ABC News

The Federal Government will introduce a $1,500 "disaster payment" for workers who need to self-isolate but do not have sick leave Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.

Key points:

• A $1,500 disaster payment will be available to workers in Victoria who do not have sick leave
• Prime Minister Scott Morrison says people will be able to apply from Wednesday
• Infected people going to work has been blamed as a major cause of transmission in Victoria.

The payment will be available to workers in Victoria who need to self-isolate but do not have sick leave or payments through JobKeeper or JobSeeker.

The payment is linked to the state of disaster in Victoria, but it could be extended to other states and territories if similar situations occur there.

If required, workers will be able to apply for the payment multiple times.

The decision comes after pressure on the Federal Government to introduce a paid pandemic leave scheme to prevent workers without sick leave from feeling economic pressure to break isolation and go to work.

For the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic read our coronavirus live blog.

Infected people turning up to work has been blamed as a major factor in community transmission in Victoria, which recorded 429 new coronavirus cases today.

Mr Morrison said there would be no reason for people who were meant to be self-isolating to go to work.

"That means that for those who need to self-isolate as a result of an instruction by a public health officer, there is no economic reason for you to go to work," he said.

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Mr Morrison said workers in the state would be able to apply for the payment over the phone from Wednesday.

"We anticipate this payment will be needed for some time," he said.

Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak

This afternoon the Victorian Government announced hundreds of thousands of workers would be stood down as businesses were forced to close or scale back operations.

More to come.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA4LTAzL2ZlZGVyYWwtZ292ZXJubWVudC10by1jcmVhdGUtZGlzYXN0ZXItcGF5bWVudC1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1sZWF2ZS8xMjUxODU4MNIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjUxODU4MA?oc=5

2020-08-03 06:54:00Z
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