LOCKDOWN support payments have been expanded in a $287.5 million state government top up as the Hunter added several fresh COVID exposure sites overnight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Supermarkets at Toronto, Glendale and Salamander Bay were added to the list late on Monday evening.
The exposure windows include Aldi Toronto on Thursday 9 September from 9.20am to 9.30am, Coles Toronto Town Square on Tuesday 7 September from 1.15pm to 1.35pm and Thursday 9 September from 9.35am to 10.05am, Coles at Stockland Glendale on Wednesday 8 September from 3.30pm to 3.50pm and 5.30pm to 5.45pm as well as Coles at Salamander Bay Shopping Centre on Sunday 5 September from 7.25pm to 7.35pm.
Hunter New England Health also updated Oasis Village Kebab Shop at Hamilton from a casual to close contact exposure site.
The eatery's exposure window was on Friday 10 September from 7.05pm - 7.25pm.
At Karuah, where the town has been split by lockdown easing for some of the state and viral fragments were detected in sewage, 4cyte will run a one-day testing clinic on Tuesday.
The clinic, at 393 Tarean Road, will operate from 8.30am to 2pm.
The upgraded state government spend on support is billed as delivering help to workers and vulnerable communities across the state through emergency hardship payments, test and isolate support payments and community empowerment grants.
"The expansion and extension of the emergency hardship payment will provide assistance to people across all of NSW who are under severe financial strain but are not eligible for other support payments and grants," deputy premier John Barilaro said.
"The test and isolate payment will help people to test early and isolate if they have COVID symptoms. This payment will help take the pressure off if an individual does not have access to leave entitlements or other support payments.
"Grants for culturally and linguistically diverse groups have also been expanded to connect multicultural communities with essential services throughout the pandemic."
The funding adds to a $7.7 billion war chest committed since the outbreak began.
IN THE NEWS
The Red Cross is administering the emergency hardship payment, a one-off $400, which also covers temporary visa holders or those without a visa facing severe financial hardship.
Applications are available via the Red Cross.
Test and isolate payments of $320 are open to eligible workers 17 and over who have symptoms of the virus who do not have sick, carer's or pandemic leave.
Community support grants are open to organisations delivering emergency food, promoting vaccination or testing and providing culturally appropriate support and care.
Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this outbreak of COVID-19 in Newcastle and the Hunter, and lockdown rules and changes, is free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also sign up for our newsletters for regular updates.