Doctors, nurses, hospital staff, paramedics and ambulance staff will be able to access the measure if they need to limit contact with the rest of their household.

That could happen if they contract the virus or if they have to self-isolate for 14 days after close contact with a COVID-19 patient.

"It's going to be a relief for many local health workers to know that they can self-isolate and not expose their family to the financial stress of trying to achieve that," NSW Nurses and Midwives Association's Lower Hunter organiser Emily Suvaal said.

Ms Suvaal said the biggest fear among health workers right now was contracting the virus and unknowingly passing it onto their own family.

"Nurses do an extraordinary job of maintaining infection control protocols and hand hygiene, but they are at a higher level of risk in hospital settings," she said.

"Fourteen days in isolation is extraordinarily difficult if you're living with other family members and trying to make sure you don't expose them to the virus.

"A lot of our members have young families, some have vulnerable or elderly parents that they may live with or care for, or rely on to help with their children."

Tuesday's announcement was part of a $100 million state government package that will also kickstart urgent pilot projects with state-based engineering, electrical and manufacturing businesses to make ventilators and critical medical equipment. A portion of that money will be put toward medical research and vaccine trials.

It comes as modelling released by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday showed the region - and the country, was flattening the curve.

Mr Morrison urged the country not to go on holiday over the Easter break and make sure they followed the social distancing rules.

It comes as the state government has made it illegal to stay in an Airbnb or any kind of short-term accommodation. Those who don't follow the rules risk being fined or imprisoned.

Hunter cases remain stable with 248 infections. Twelve people are in hospital including five in ICU. Twelve are receiving Hospital in The Home care in the Greater Newcastle region. More than 110 people who tested positive have now recovered.

Ms Suvaal echoed Mr Morrison's calls.

"We are preparing for this impending surge in patients and we're hoping that everybody continues to follow the restrictions so that huge strain on the health system doesn't happen," she said.

The association has continued to push for an extra 5000 nurses to be put on the ground in NSW hospitals now to boost staffing levels. Those nurses were promised at the last state election and are supposed to be delivered during this term.

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