The Government is being urged to designate long Covid as an occupational illness for frontline workers who contracted the virus due to their employment.
An amendment to the Social Welfare Bill will be tabled in the Dáil today which could result in long Covid being listed as an occupational illness, allowing frontline workers to avail of long-term income assistance until they are fit to return to work.
At present, only health workers who were out sick prior to 15th November 2021, which was prior to the Omicron variant being detected, are able to avail of paid leave which will cease next June.
All other frontline workers, including health workers out sick due to long Covid are now excluded from any support from their employer.
Deputy Denis Naughten who will table the amendment said it is not just health workers who need to be supported.
