The Informer: Disaster payment available to workers hit by lockdowns

The new support measure was announced in response to continued lobbying for financial support by the Victorian government as the state endures its fourth lockdown.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed people who usually work more than 20 hours in a week would be eligible to receive a $500 payment, with those who work fewer hours entitled to $325.

Regional Victoria will be freed from lockdown on Friday, but Metropolitan Melbourne will remain under strict stay-at-home orders for another week.

Schools will reopen and the five reasons to leave home will be removed for regional Victorians, but masks will still be mandatory indoors, there will be density limits in place and visitors are not permitted in homes.

Melburnians will spend another seven days in lockdown as the state's coronavirus outbreak climbed to 63.

One of the three new coronavirus cases recorded overnight was a 90-year-old resident from the Maidstone Arcare facility.

The Queensland and South Australian governments will begin vaccinating private aged care and disability workers against COVID-19 amid ongoing concerns about the federal government's handling of the rollout.

Earlier this week, the Victorian government announced a five-day vaccination blitz for private aged care and disability workers after it was revealed less than 10 per cent of staff in the sector across Australia had been vaccinated.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said aged care and disability workers could get the Pfizer vaccine at one of 18 hubs across the state from Saturday.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said anyone working in residential facilities in the state would be able to access the Pfizer jab at mass vaccination hubs.

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