Scott Morrison set to provide support for workers and businesses crippled by Sydney's lockdown amid warning it could last for weeks as cases explode
- Federal government to hand out more cash to NSW businesses and households
- Prime Minister held phone hook up with NSW Premier to discuss support
- Disaster payments will be made available to businesses and households
Help is on the way for struggling businesses and workers financially hit by Sydney's latest coronavirus outbreak.
The federal government is set to announce a Covid-19 rescue package to provide financial support for businesses crippled by a lockdown which is expected to last for weeks as cases continue to soar.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg held a phone hook-up with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and state treasurer Dominic Perrottet on Sunday to discuss financial support, just a week after federal government told state officials to fund their own relief package.
A Expenditure Review Committee meeting will be held on Monday, where federal ministers will consider a submission on how NSW can best be supported.
Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has confirmed disaster payments will be made available to struggling businesses and households devastated by the lockdown which has entered its third week.
The federal and NSW governments are set to announce a joint financial assistance package for affected businesses as the state's Covid-19 crisis worsens
'It is very practical support that is happening from the Commonwealth in relation to the situation in Sydney,' Professor Kelly said.
'That includes because that is a Commonwealth designated hot spot, there is funding available for aged care, for example, in terms of single site worker payments, there is the disaster, the Covid disaster payment which is also available now for people who are eligible in Sydney.'
Sunday's phone hook-up between the Prime Minister, NSW treasurers also discussed mental health supports will be required for locked-down residents under Sydney's current restrictions, which could be toughed in the coming days.
The federal government is believed to have ruled out bringing back JobKeeper, instead opting for direct payments to workers and businesses.
The government has long tried to clarify that JobKeeper did not go to businesses to keep them afloat, but went to workers via their employers.
Government sources called the new income support 'almost identical' to JobKeeper in its tangible help of workers and businesses.
The federal government Covid-19 rescue package will include more financial support for businesses crippled by the latest lockdown in Sydney. Pictured is a deserted restaurant in Circular Quay
The Treasury have put forward a number of support options for Scott Morrison to consider, with the changes to apply nationally to future lockdowns
Workers who lost income as a result of Sydney's lockdown can already apply for payments of up to $500 a week.
The federal government created a coronavirus disaster payment during Melbourne's fourth lockdown last month, and is also available for Sydneysiders.
People can receive the payments if they can't work from home and can't travel to work as a result of the lockdown, or their workplace is closed.
The City of Sydney, Waverley, Woollahra, Bayside, Canada Bay, Inner West and Randwick were eligible to claim from Friday and the rest of Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Wollongong now can as well.
Those who lose less than 20 hours of work under lockdown are eligible to receive $325 per week, and those losing more than 20 hours can get $500.
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The federal government will consider support for businesses in conjunction with the state government, as well as the broadening of support for households
Workers must be unable to attend work and prove they lost income up to and including day eight of a Covid lockdown as a result of the restrictions.
Employees also must not be able to already access appropriate paid leave or entitlements through their employer.
They must also not have more than $10,000 in liquid assets they could draw on to get them through weeks of zero wages.
Workers cannot already be getting a government income support payment, state small business payment, or Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
NSW recorded 77 new local cases and the death of a 90-year-old unvaccinated woman on Sunday.
New daily cases are expected to hit triple figures in NSW on Monday. Pictured is a deserted Kings Cross
Around 33 cases were out in the community while infectious while more than 50 were identified as close contacts of a Covid-19 case.
Ms Berejiklian fears Monday's figures will be worse and said she's be shocked if new cases didn't reach triple figures.
The Premier added it was 'highly unlikely' lockdown of Greater Sydney and surrounds will be lifted as scheduled midnight Friday.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said the 'vast majority' of cases were identified in south-west Sydney - which has recently been targeted by police with extra officers deployed to monitor lockdown compliance.
Victoria has closed its borders to all of NSW and the ACT – despite no cases recorded outside Sydney or in the nation's capital in the last 12 months.
Queensland will decide on Monday whether it will slam its its borders shut.
The NRL is preparing to shift clubs into Queensland for at least a month from Wednesday.
Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly announced on Sunday that disaster payments will be made available to both businesses and households in New South Wales
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