Urgent measures are essential to keep the 1.3 million people in the care of the aged care sector and its 360,000 workers safe throughout the COVID–19 pandemic.

The story ran on the Channel 7 News at 6pm on 15 April 2020 in every capital city and across the regions on Prime and GWN7.

Play the news item by clicking on the play button below.

Keeping elderly residents safe from coronavirus is coming at a hefty price for aged care operators who warn the financial stress could cause their sector to collapse. They're calling for a $1.3 billion rescue package. https://t.co/1wTmAuHPol @telester #auspol #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/boRJZ5AAMR

— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) April 15, 2020

“The Aged Care Industry has called on the Government to provide to Australia’s residential aged care facilities, an additional $15 per resident per day for the next 6 months just to keep our Industry protected.  An Industry that is currently reporting that 56% of its RACFs rising to 71% in regional and remote areas, are in financial distress.

An additional $10 per client per day for the next 6 months is similarly needed to provide the required flexible support for home care recipients and $500 million is needed in a pool of funds for information technology measures to reduce social isolation and loneliness mostly in the community to assist older person and families stay connected.

$10 or $15!  That’s the cost of a cappuccino and a good pastry! Come on Australia!