Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the end of the mandatory five-day isolation period for people with COVID-19.

Speaking on Friday, he declared the “time was right” to ditch one of the last significant public health measures designed to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

“It was always envisaged that these measures were emergency measures, and what we have done today is take the advice from the Chief Medical Officer, listened to that advice, an, therefore changed the settings so that they are proportionate,” he said.

All state and territory leaders agreed to remove the laws in tandem on 14 October.