Stay-at-home rules for COVID-19 could change in hours

Australia's last remaining COVID-19 restrictions could change in a matter of hours as National Cabinet prepares to meet today.

The leaders' meeting is widely tipped to back a change to the mandatory isolation period for COVID-19 in the country, down from seven days to just five.

Other stay-at-home rules could also come under the microscope.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he wants all states and territories on the same page, saying that the fact COVID-19 infections have decreased is a positive sign.

But there are some voices calling for National Cabinet to go further and scrap mandatory isolation altogether.

The Health Services Union is one such voice.

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They have called for the the onus to be on individuals to determine when they were too sick to work, as with other illnesses.

They say it would help address worker shortages.

Mask mandates be on planes also likely to be discussed, but a change on that front it less likely with medical experts still united in recommending they be worn.

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The meeting comes after the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved a Moderna vaccine targeting the Omicron variant.

Australia is just the third country worldwide to approve the jab. after initial tests showed the shot created a higher immune response to the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

Moderna has said it can supply the vaccine immediately.

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