NSW’s frontline healthcare workers are to be provided with free accommodation to protect their loved ones from possible infection as the State continues its battle with COVID-19.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a new $100 million package for the purpose, saying it also included support for medical research and vaccine trials to beat the virus.
“Nobody should go to work and worry that it will put their families at risk, especially when they are working so hard to protect us,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This funding is the least we can do to keep healthcare workers and their families safe,” she said.
She said $58 million of the package would go toward providing doctors, nurses, paramedics and other hospital and ambulance staff with the option of staying at accommodation away from home during the pandemic.
Ms Berejiklian said the free accommodation was a crucial plank in the health support package.
“Local health districts will work with staff to make sure accommodation is close to work or their families, depending on individual needs,” she said.
She said other key elements of the support package included $25 million for medical research and vaccine trials; $11 million for commercialisation of research products; and $10 million funding to partner with industry to boost domestic supply chains.
