Vaccine milestone to relax rules for home quarantine

Home quarantine will become more accessible for returning Queenslanders and eligible interstate travellers once the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination mark is reached.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath today said the success of the recent home quarantine trial had informed the changes.

“We evaluated the trial and it was very successful and safe,” Ms D’Ath said.

“More than 1000 people in eight local government areas in south-east Queensland took part in the trial and their feedback has been very positive.

“This trial has helped shape a new approach to home quarantine that will make the process more comfortable and accessible for all returning Queenslanders, not just those in the south-east. This policy will apply to eligible domestic travellers also.”

Minister D’Ath said the changes would take effect once the state reached the 70 per cent two-dose vaccination milestone.

As at this morning 67.84 per cent of eligible Queenslanders had had their two doses.

“You will be able to quarantine at any self-contained dwelling, as long as it has no shared common areas that are accessible by people outside the household,” Minister D’Ath said.

“This may include a standalone house or a unit, townhouse or duplex that has its own entrance.

“You will be able to arrive at any Queensland airport, but you can only transit to another destination if you transit through Brisbane. You can then drive to your home quarantine residents, as long as its within two hours without stopping. You can travel by either private car, a hire car with contactless pick-up, or an endorsed transport provider.

“These changes reflect our confidence in the vaccine’s protection. You’re 86 per cent less likely to get infected with COVID-19 and you’re 90 per cent less likely to die from it.”

Minister D’Ath said the government’s quarantine policies had been instrumental in keeping Queenslanders safe.

“As long as there is virus circulating in other states and countries, quarantine will remain an important part of our pandemic response,” she said.

People wanting to home quarantine must still:

• be fully vaccinated (they must have had two doses of the vaccine, with at least two weeks between their second shot and their entry into Queensland)
• have returned a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to entry
• ensure anyone else residing in the household also quarantines
• use the home quarantine check-in service
• maintain contact records for anyone attending the property and
• get a PCR test at a drive-through clinic, using a private vehicle, on days 1, 5 and 12.

ENDS

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