Changes ahead for COVID close contacts

The Palaszczuk Government has today announced new response measures to COVID cases, commencing on 1 January 2022.

Minister for Health Yvette D’Ath said that these measures are consistent with Australia’s national plan for reopening.

“Queensland’s management of COVID-19 so far has meant we’ve experienced significantly less cases than other jurisdictions, and after hitting that 80 per cent vaccination target, our borders are re-opening,” Minister D’Ath said.

“To continue moving forward, we also need to acknowledge that the coming months will inevitably bring a rise in cases and increased community transmission.

“For every COVID positive person, there will also be close and casual contacts. Managing the testing, tracing and quarantine of these people – along with bolstering surge capacity in our hospitals – will be key in keeping businesses and borders open.

“As with the restrictions that are set to start on 17 December, what you have to do if you are a close contact will be all about your vaccination status.”

Requirements for casual contacts from 1 January 2022:

• Get tested immediately and quarantine until receiving a negative result.
• Encouraged to wear a mask outside the home for 14 days.

Requirements for vaccinated close contacts from 1 January 2022:

• Quarantine for seven days.
• Get a test immediately and on day five.
• Move out of quarantine on day eight (if tested negative).
• Precautionary measures including mask wearing outside the home and avoiding high-risk settings for days 8-14.
• Vaccinated household contacts of close contacts do not need to quarantine, but will need a test on day one and five.
• Unvaccinated household contacts of close contacts will need to follow the same quarantine and testing requirements as the close contact, unless they can separate from the contact.

Requirements for un-vaccinated close contacts from 1 January 2022:

• Quarantine for 14 days.
• Get tested immediately and on days five and 12.
• Vaccinated household contacts of close contacts will need to quarantine for seven days, and get a test on day one and five, unless they can separate from the contact.
• Unvaccinated household contacts of close contacts will need to follow the same quarantine and testing requirements as the close contact, unless they can separate from the contact.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said the new arrangements would minimise disruption for businesses while managing the risks of COVID-19.

“We acknowledge this is a new normal for everyone, and I know all business owners just want to do the right thing,” Minister Farmer said.

“This provides the clarity and certainty of what managing COVID in the workplace looks like.

“We’ll continue to support businesses through this transition and urge them to visit the Business Queensland website.”

Minister Farmer said it was crucial for Queensland businesses to continue using the Check In Qld app.

“It’s more important than ever to be visiting and supporting small business, but it’s critical that people observe the current requirements and continue to use the Check In Qld app so you can be notified for contact tracing purposes.”

From now until 1 January, current requirements for close and casual contacts continue to apply.

More information on new close and casual contact arrangements:

www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/queensland-restrictions-update/changes-to-requirements-for-close-and-casual-contacts

More information on the current contact tracing requirements, including active alerts:

www.health.qld.gov.au/tracing

Media contact: Lucy Collier - 0409 461 324