COVID-19 Blog

It is no longer mandatory to check in at any location throughout NSW.

Businesses and organisations may continue to use them at their own discretion.

For more information, see Check-in and QR codes | NSW Government

All people in NSW over the age of 12 are required to wear a face mask:  

• at a public hospital or private health facility (including private hospitals and day procedure centres)
• in residential care facilities or hostels
• on public transport and public transport waiting areas (including in taxis and rideshare services)
• in a cruise terminal
• on a domestic commercial aircraft (including when the aircraft is flying above NSW).

If you are over the age of 12 and are a household or close contact of someone who has tested positive to COVID-19, you must also wear a face mask when you are in an indoor setting that is not your own home, including workplaces and tertiary education settings. School settings may have their own guidance for students which should be followed.

For more information refer to Face mask rules | NSW Government

Household and close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case without symptoms are no longer required to isolate. However, household and close contacts must follow the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines for 7 days from the last time someone in their household tested positive for COVID-19, or as otherwise directed by NSW Health if you’re a close contact.

Please read the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines for full details, including guidelines on arrangements for work and attendance in the workplace.

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment and minimising the risk of workplace COVID-19 transmission so far as is reasonably practicable.

Households are one of the highest risk settings for spreading COVID-19. Employers should therefore implement measures to manage the risk of workplace transmission of COVID-19 from household and close contacts, such as physical distancing, mask wearing, good hygiene, and regular cleaning.

Employers may also consider the following practicable control measures:

• Household and close contacts should be allowed to work from home where practicable.
• Employers should undertake a risk assessment before approving a household or close contact returning to work if they cannot work from home.
• Employers may ask household and close contacts to do a rapid antigen test before they attend work, even if they don’t have symptoms.
• Employers may direct all people in the workplace to wear masks except while eating or drinking or where a mask could create a safety issue.
• Employers may direct household and close contacts not to use shared facilities such as tea rooms at the same time as other people.
• Household and close contacts might be allocated work that involves minimal interaction with other people and/or in well-ventilated areas or outdoors, where possible.
• Household and close contacts may be encouraged to maintain physical distance from others at all times.
• Employers should strongly encourage or, if lawful and reasonable, direct employees to receive a booster vaccination against COVID-19.
• Ensure COVID safe plans reflecting these, and other measures are signed off by or on behalf of the employer.

For more information please refer to:

• NSW Health household and close contact guidelines | NSW Government
• Information for people exposed to COVID-19 | NSW Government

You must register a positive rapid antigen test result as soon as possible after you get your result. You're able to add a positive result dating back to 1 January 2022. 

You must register your result with Service NSW if you test positive in another state or territory and have returned to NSW to self-isolate. 

You do not need to register if you've:

• had a negative or invalid rapid antigen test result
• had a positive PCR test in the 28 days before your positive rapid antigen test
• already reported a positive rapid antigen test in the last 28 days on the Service NSW mobile app or website.

For more information, refer to Register a positive rapid antigen test result | Service NSW

Venues can operate at maximum capacity, but are still required to have a COVIDSafe plan in place.

All major events have resumed, with gatherings of more than 30,000 people no longer requiring public health pre-approval.

For more information, refer to: 

• High Vax Rate Means Most Restrictions Can Safely Ease
• COVIDSafe Settings for business and industry in Victoria

Booster doses can be given 3 months after your second of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Only those working in specific industries are required to show evidence of vaccination to their employer to continue working outside their home.

Find out more about the vaccination rules and industries from Worker vaccination requirements | Coronavirus Victoria

You are no longer required to wear a face mask in most indoor settings, but wearing a mask remains recommended.

Face masks are mandatory for everyone aged 8 years and above in the following settings:

• On public transport, in taxis/rideshare services and in tourism vehicles.
• While inside an aircraft (for ages 12 and over).
• While visiting a hospital, care facility or any other indoor space that is a publicly accessible area in a healthcare setting, including allied health settings.
• In a public indoor space if you are a close contact.
• Working in an indoor space that is a publicly accessible area of a court or justice centre.
• In an indoor space that is a publicly accessible area of a healthcare facility, including at an allied health facility.
• Working in a resident-facing role in an indoor space at a care facility, including when not interacting with residents.
• Working in an indoor space at a prison, police gaol, remand centre, youth residential centre, youth justice centre or post-sentence facility.
• After being tested for COVID-19 and awaiting results.
• If you have COVID-19 or are a close contact and are leaving the premises for a permitted reason.

For more information refer to Face masks | Coronavirus Victoria

If you tested positive using a rapid antigen test, you are officially a case and you must report your result to the Department of Health online (COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form  · Starter Portal (powerappsportals.com)) or call 1800 675 398.

For further information, Rapid antigen tests | Coronavirus Victoria

From 1am AEST Thursday 30 June 2022, there is no COVID-19 vaccination requirement for someone visiting a vulnerable group.

However, COVID-19 vaccination requirements continue to be in place for workers at healthcare settings. The operator of the healthcare setting must continue to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare workers.

Vulnerable settings in Queensland include:

• public and private hospitals
• aged care facilities
• disability accommodation services
• corrective services facilities and detention centres.

Restrictions remain if you are a close contact or diagnosed case who is restricted from visiting a vulnerable setting.

You cannot visit a vulnerable setting if you:

• have COVID-19
• recently had COVID-19 and it has been 7 days or less since your isolation period ended (unless an exception applies to you)
• are a close contact, unless in exceptional or compassionate circumstances
• have recently had COVID-19 test and you are waiting to receive the results (except for tests due to surveillance testing obligations)
• have COVID-19 symptoms.

Visitors to these vulnerable settings must wear a face mask at all times while at indoor spaces of these vulnerable settings and comply with requirements the facility or service has in place and follow any PPE or protective measures required.

For more information refer to Visiting vulnerable groups | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Face masks are still required in these situations:

• in healthcare settings, residential aged care, disability accommodation, prisons or detention centres
• on public transport, including while waiting on the platform or at a stop
• in a taxi, rideshare vehicle or commercial shuttle, including while waiting at a taxi rank or pick-up area
• on planes
• when outside of your home or accommodation if:
  • you have a temperature equal to or higher than 37.5 degrees
  • you have COVID-19 symptoms
  • you’re awaiting a COVID-19 PCR test result
• if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19, are a close contact, or are an international traveller (in accordance with other public health directions).

For more information refer to Face masks — coronavirus (COVID-19) | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

From 28 April 2022, quarantine requirements for close contacts eased.

All asymptomatic close contacts are permitted to attend work.

Workers previously able to leave quarantine to work under the critically essential worker exemption are able to work without the need to use private transport by following the steps for close contacts. Requirements of employers of critical industries are removed, including the need to provide a critical worker list to Queensland Health.

If you are an asymptomatic close contact who works in a vulnerable facility (hospital, aged care or disability accommodation) and who cannot work from home, you can attend work provided you:

• let your employer know that you are a close contact before you return to work
• wear a mask
• comply with any additional requirements set by your workplace. This may include additional personal protective equipment (PPE).

If you test positive in a rapid antigen test (RAT) it is very likely that you have COVID-19. You must immediately isolate and report your positive test result by online form (Rapid Antigen Test Registration | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)). If you are unable to complete the online form or you need help, call 134 COVID (134 268).

For more information, see  Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) - Positive Result Registration Form | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

If you are a close contact you must wear a mask when you leave the house for 7 days after exposure. Read more about close contact requirements.

It is mandatory for all people to wear masks in:

• disability care facilities
• residential aged care facilities
• public or private hospitals
• health care services
• pharmacies
• pathology collection centres
• passenger transport services (including taxis, rideshare and other hire or charter vehicle arrangements)
• airplanes

Health care services include the following premises:

• private and public hospitals
• general practice
• medical specialist services and practices
• mental health services and practices including drug and alcohol services
• allied health services, including those provided by a counsellor, speech pathologist, sonographer, social worker, rehabilitation counsellor, radiation therapist, radiographer, psychologist, prosthetist / orthotist, podiatrist, physiotherapist, music therapist, osteopath, orthoptist, optometrist, occupational therapist, genetic counsellor, exercise physiologist, dietitian, counsellor, chiropractor, audiologist, art/creative art therapist, or bowen therapist
• complementary and alternative therapy services and practices including Chinese medicine practitioners
• community health services including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
• dental services
• reproductive services and sexual health services including termination of pregnancy
• radiology services including screening services
• disability and rehabilitation services.

This requirement does not apply to a person who is an in-patient at a health care service or a resident of a disability or residential aged care facility.

If you test positive in a rapid antigen test, you do not need to get a PCR test to confirm the result. You are required to report positive results using the online form.

It is recommended that you also report your negative and invalid results to help provide a full picture of rates of COVID-19 testing in the state.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms and test negative using a rapid antigen test, you need to get a PCR test to confirm your result.

• Booster doses can be given 3 months after your second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Only those working in specific industries, as directed by SA health, are required to provide evidence of vaccination.
• For more information refer to COVID-19 Directions | South Australian Legislation

The Northern Territory’s Public Health Emergency Declaration ceased at 11.59pm on 15 June 2022.

The major public events direction has ended. There are no COVID-19 restrictions for events or gatherings across the Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory’s Public Health Emergency Declaration ceased at 11.59pm on 15 June 2022.

The mandatory vaccination direction has ended. There are no mandatory requirements for workers in certain settings across the Northern Territory to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Booster doses can be given 3 months after your second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Some workplaces may have their own vaccination policy in place.

For more information refer to Mandatory vaccinations | Coronavirus (COVID-19) (nt.gov.au)

Wearing masks reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Face masks must be worn in the following high risk settings:

• hospitals and health care facilities
• aged care facilities
• disability residential facilities
• correctional facilities
• family violence, sobering up and homeless shelters.

Face masks must also be worn when on board an aircraft that is:

• operating a domestic service in the NT
• operating an inbound international service in the NT.

It is highly recommended all people aged 12 years and over wear a mask when physical distancing cannot be applied. Children under the age of 12 do not need to wear a mask.

For more information refer to Current restrictions, rules and exposure sites | Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you test positive to a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) immediately declare your result using the Rapid Antigen Test declaration form. This is a legal requirement. This will trigger an email with next steps.

If your result is positive when testing at home:

• immediately self-isolate
• declare your result through this form Rapid Antigen Test declaration form or
• call the NT COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484

Face masks remain mandatory in the following situations:

• For household contacts aged 12 years and over in any indoor setting that is not their own home
  • only students who are household contacts in Years 7 to 12 will be required to wear a mask when attending school, consistent with previous advice
  • mask wearing for students who are household contacts in primary school is at the discretion of the student and their parents/carers, and would not be recommended for children in ECECs, or Preschool to Year 2.
• on public transport, including a public bus, light rail vehicle, taxi, rideshare vehicle, hire car or demand response service vehicle
• staff and visitors entering a high-risk setting, which includes:
  • hospitals
  • residential aged care facilities
  • correctional centres, detention place or other places of custody
  • residential accommodation facilities that support people who require frequent, close personal care and who are vulnerable to severe disease
• staff who are providing a service to a person with a disability which is funded or provided:
  • under the National Disability Insurance scheme under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 of the Commonwealth; or
  • by the ACT Government for the primary purpose of providing support to people living with disability, including the Special Needs Transport and Flexible Bus Service operated by the Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate.
• staff who are working for an in-home and community aged care provider including:
  • an approved provider for whom a home care subsidy or a flexible care subsidy is payable under the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth), or
  • service provider of a Commonwealth-funded aged care service, as defined in the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018, delivering services outside of a residential aged care facility setting
• on flights into and out of Canberra Airport.
  

For more information refer to Face masks - COVID-19 (act.gov.au)

If you receive a positive result on a rapid antigen test (RAT), you do not routinely need to have your RAT confirmed with a PCR test, unless you are:

• more than 20 weeks pregnant
• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander aged 55 years and over
• aged 16 years and over and unvaccinated or partially vaccinated (one dose only)
• significantly immunosuppressed

People who meet any of these criteria should call COVID Care@Home on 02 5124 3085 for an eligibility assessment and arrangement of a PCR test if indicated.

Density limits do not apply.

Venues can operate at their maximum capacity.

For more information visit Gatherings, density and physical distancing | Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Effective from 1 July 2022, there are no longer requirements under the Public Health Act 1997 for any worker to be vaccinated.

A workplace may require employees to be vaccinated to attend work, if it has identified that this is a reasonable measure to implement based on the workplace’s COVID-19 risk assessment.

For more information refer to Employer information | Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

From 1 July 2022, there will no longer be a public health emergency declaration in response to COVID-19, in Tasmania.

COVID-19 will still need to be managed carefully. Ongoing management of COVID-19 will be through Orders under the Public Health Act (1997).

Under the Public Health Act 1997, If you are a close contact you must:

• Immediately take a COVID-19 test once you are aware you are a close contact
• Test daily with a RAT for 7 days if you are leaving home. If you are not leaving home every day, you must do a second test on day 6
• Isolate and test immediately if you have any symptoms, even mild
• Isolate immediately if you test positive
• Wear a face mask outside your home, when in any indoor space, unless you have a mask exemption. Read about exemptions
• Tell your workplace you are a close contact
• Not attend any high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care facilities, residential disability settings and correctional facilities, unless you are a critical worker and are on the premises as part of your employment or for medical treatment.

For more information refer to Advice for contacts | Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Check in TAS is currently not required at venues.

Visitor screening will still be undertaken at certain high-risk settings such as residential aged-care, correctional facilities, and hospitals.

For more information please refer to Check in TAS | Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Vaccine mandates only apply to workforces working with the most vulnerable to protect them from severe disease. This includes:

• healthcare and health support workers in hospitals and primary health care settings;
• workers in residential aged care facilities; and
• disability support accommodation workers.

Workers captured under the mandatory vaccination directions must have their third (booster) dose administered within one calendar month of becoming eligible. People providing support to individuals in a private residential (home) setting, are not subject to the mandatory vaccination requirements. 

Anyone aged 16 years and older who had their second COVID-19 vaccination three or more months ago is eligible for a third dose.

Masks are required for people aged 12 years and older in the following settings: 

• Hospitals and health care settings including:
  • GPs
  • Aboriginal health services
  • Dental and optical health clinics
  • Allied health services such as physiotherapy, radiology and occupational therapy services
• Aged care facilities, residential care facilities including disability service facilities and mental health residential facilities
• Public and passenger transport, including taxis and rideshare vehicles, tour buses and school buses
• Correctional facilities
• Aircraft

The usual exemptions from mask requirements apply.

Masks are encouraged where physical distancing is not possible.

For more information refer to COVID-19 coronavirus: What you can and can't do (www.wa.gov.au)

A close contact is defined as:

• a household member or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 who has had contact with them during their infectious period,
• someone who has had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period, where they spent 4 hours of cumulative contact with them in a residential setting (including a home, residential care facility, boarding school, maritime vessel, or other accommodation facility) in any 24-hour period where masks have been removed by both people during the period of contact
• someone who is informed by WA Health that they are a close contact.

Close contacts who do not have symptoms can leave their place of isolation if they:

• Take a RAT and obtain a negative result on each day they would like to leave isolation (note: you must be able to provide evidence of the negative RAT result taken than day if requested by a relevant officer)
  • If positive – follow positive case guidelines
  • If symptoms develop, follow symptomatic close contact guidelines
• Wear a mask at all times outside of the home (the usual exemptions apply, including for children under 12)
• Avoid high-risk settings, including hospitals, healthcare settings, aged care facilities, residential care facilities (including disability care facilities and mental health residential facilities) and correctional facilities, unless you work at these locations. In case you visit high-risk settings due to an emergency, you must advise a relevant officer prior to attending or as soon as possible upon your arrival. Workers at those facilities can enter under strict conditions.

Close contacts who do not have symptoms are strongly encouraged to:

• avoid non-essential gatherings and contact with people at risk of severe illness
• work from home, where possible
• notify their employer, educational facility or early learning centre of their close contact status.

Note: Relevant workers entering high risk settings are subject to additional obligations:

Close contacts with no symptoms who work in a high-risk setting must also:

• advise their employer they are a close contact
• seek confirmation from their employer to attend work
• monitor for symptoms
• immediately leave the workplace and return home if they develop symptoms or become COVID positive
• only enter or remain at the high-risk setting for the purposes of their work duties
• wear a surgical mask while at work along with any PPE requirements from their employer
• not share break areas at work with any other person
• maintain physical distancing.

For more information refer to COVID-19 Coronavirus: What to do if you have COVID-19 or are a close contact (www.wa.gov.au)