Under a proposed easing of Australia’s COVID-19 rules, household close contacts will no longer need to isolate granted that they are asymptomatic, fully vaccinated and boosted or vaccinated people who return a negative rapid antigen test result.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that the exemption to skip isolation would be “connected to third doses” and would “rely on honesty” in order to be enforced.
“There’s a lot of work going into that,” he said.
Under current orders in states and territories, people who spend four hours or more with someone who tests positive in a household setting must stay at home for at least seven days.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) will reportedly make their recommendation to National Cabinet, with premiers and first ministers tasked with approving the change.
In certain states the updated isolation rules for critical workers, such as health workers, teachers and food distribution staff have already been in effect since mid-January.
Close contacts even if negative will still be required to wear a mask, travel directly to work and take regular rapid tests.
The Victorian government’s work-from-home advisory will end on Friday at 11.59pm and masks will no longer be needed in most indoor settings, including offices, in line with the easing of restrictions in New South Wales.
Health Minister Martin Foley announced the changes this morning, flagging declining COVID-19 hospitalisations and an increase in third dose vaccination rates as the reason.
Masks will only be required indoors in the following circumstances unless an exemption applies:
- People on public transport, in taxis and rideshare, on planes, and indoors at an airport
- People working or visiting hospitals, and indoor areas at care facilities
- Workers in hospitality, retail and the court system
- Workers at justice and correctional facilities
- Students in year three or above at primary school, and workers at early childhood centres and primary schools – masks can be removed in secondary school
- People working indoors at an event with more than 30,000 people attending
- In special circumstances, such as if you have COVID-19 or are a close contact and you’re leaving home
COVID-19 numbers per state and territory:
- NSW: 4,916 new cases, seven deaths, 1,288 people in hospital, 74 of whom are in ICU
- VIC: 5,611 new cases, three deaths, 361 people in hospital, 49 of whom are in ICU
- QLD: 4,114 new cases, six deaths, 401 people in hospital, 34 of whom are in ICU
- TAS: 569 new cases, no deaths, 10 people in hospital, two of whom are in ICU
- ACT: 458 new cases, one death, 37 people in hospital, one of whom is in ICU
- WA: 224 new cases, no deaths
- SA: 1,217 new cases, no deaths, 190 people in hospital, 13 of whom are in ICU
- NT: 627 new cases, no deaths, 123 people in hospital, three of whom are in ICU
