Covid isolation rules for a raft of Australian industries are relaxed

National cabinet have agreed that close contacts who work in a raft of key industries will not have to isolate if they return a negative Covid rapid test.

The desperate plan announced by Scott Morrison on Thursday was hatched to solve Australia’s supply chain chaos which has seen businesses struggling to find staff many super market shelves left bare as Covid cases skyrocket.

The new rules apply to anyone who works in the food supply sector as well as the transport, freight and logistics industries.

Emergency services personnel are also included in the arrangement along with workers in the energy, resources, water, waste management, telecommunications, broadcasting and media sectors.

But critics say the relaxed rules are likely to lead to even more positive case amplifying the supply chain crunch.

It comes as the prime minister slammed so called ‘Omicron parties’ where some Australians are getting together to intentionally catch the virus.

More to come.