The Latest Breaking News from Paul Kelly

It would be refreshing if the politicians were more upfront about the reasons for their decision.

Academic Pippa Yeoman is among a number of Australians, including a leading medical specialist, accusing the chief medical officer of downplaying the threat posed by long COVID while justifying the end of national isolation requirements.

Relaxing COVID clamps, successfully

A day before national cabinet unanimously agreed to end mandatory isolation rules, the prime minister asked the nation's top doctor whether it was a good idea. This is what he said to the PM.

From 14 October people who test positive will no longer have to isolate in their homes for five days – but there are exceptions

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

While health authorities say the changes signal a move away from "COVID exceptionalism", they've warned "it does not in any way suggest that the pandemic is finished".

National cabinet has agreed to lift the five day mandatory isolation period for people contracting COVID, with the Commonwealth’s chief medical officer declaring “it is time to move away from COVID exceptionalism”.

Mandatory COVID-19 isolation will end on October 14 for everyone, the National Cabinet has decided.Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly announced on Friday there would be support for some workers in high-risk settings to be able to continue isolation if needed, but everyone else can just carry about their lives as…