Mask mandate ends on domestic and international flights
Masks are no longer compulsory on domestic and international flights to Australia from midnight Friday, as COVID-19 rules relax across the nation.
Picture: Tony Lewis/InDaily.
The mask mandates ended at 12.01am on Friday but travellers are still advised to consider wearing them for their own safety.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the changes were endorsed by the chief medical officer.
“I encourage everyone travelling overseas to be mindful of the continuing risk of COVID-19 and to take personal precautions to stop the spread and stay safe,” he said.
Isolation has been reduced to a minimum of five days for people with no symptoms, while workers in high-risk settings like aged care, disability and home care must still isolate for seven days.
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment rules have changed to reflect the minimum isolation period for anyone applying.
It comes as Australian states and territories will from Saturday no longer provide daily case figures.
The federal government will instead issue weekly data on new cases, deaths, hospitalisations and ICU admissions.
More than 8000 new COVID-19 cases and 135 deaths were reported across Australia on Friday, including dozens of historical deaths from Victoria and South Australia.
-AAP
