(1)
Replace regulation 28(1) with:
Childcare assistance may continue to be paid for the period set out in subclauses (2) and (3) during a child’s absence from an early childhood education programme or OSCAR programme—
if the absence is due to COVID-19 requirements, and whether or not the programme charges a fee for holding open the places of children who are absent; or
if the absence is due to the child’s medical condition, or is due to any other reason, and the programme charges a fee for holding open the places of children who are absent.
(2)
Before regulation 28(3)(a), insert:
the weeks of the absence, if the absence is due to COVID-19 requirements; or
(3)
After regulation 28(3), insert:
(4)
In this regulation,—
available, for the programme, if subclause (3)(aa) applies to the child, means that—
the programme is attended by, and provided to, any other child, or any other children, to whom COVID-19 requirements do not apply; or
the programme is not attended by, nor provided to, any children, because their absence is due to reasons that are or include COVID-19 requirements
COVID-19 requirements, for a child or children, means requirements that apply to the child or children, and that are imposed—
by or under an Act; and
to prevent, or limit the risk of, the outbreak or spread of COVID-19.