Victorians are being provided a small support network if they get a coronavirus test and have to isolate.
Whenever you get tested for Covid-19, you have to go straight home and stay there until your test results come back. That can be a big burden on your ability to work, which is where the state government comes in.
Provided you are still working and you have no sick leave to fall back on, you will be entitled to a $300 payment.
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It will allow people to buy food (albeit online) and address any immediate payments while they wait up to 72 hours before their result comes back positive or negative.
If the test is positive and you still fit the criteria above, then you'll get an additional payment of $1,500. That's to account for you being off work for at least two weeks.
In order to get the money, you'll have to provide a pay slip or a statutory declaration.
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Premier Daniel Andrews hopes the small subsidy will be beneficial in the fight against the pandemic.
"It'll be a relatively simple and easy process. It essentially requires you, for instance, to provide a pay slip. If you're in a position where you're not able to do that, then a statutory declaration to that effect, which will be done as simply and as easily as possible," he said.
"Paperwork is always important but it's about making sure that we get those payments out as fast as possible.
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"What we've got at the moment is people who feel unwell, but don't want to go and get tested quick enough because they're fearful of not being able to go to work."
He revealed at a press conference yesterday that many people were still going to work even though they felt sick. Some even continued turning up to work after having a Covid-19 test done.
Premier Andrews highlighted that many people can't afford to take time off work and could find themselves unable to make ends meet. That's why this new payment plan could help prevent Victorians from accidentally spreading the virus further.
Victoria recorded 403 new coronavirus cases yesterday, which is the third highest jump the state has seen. The day previous there were a whopping 484 cases recorded.
Featured Image Credit: PA