Close contacts of COVID-19 cases will no longer be required to quarantine from 12.01am Monday 2 May 2022. The quarantine requirement will be replaced by close contact rules that must be followed for seven days to reduce any risk of potential spread of COVID-19.
Close contacts can leave home if they have no symptoms and return a negative test when notified they are a close contact. They must do the following for seven days:
- test for COVID-19, daily if they plan to leave home
- wear a face mask in all indoor settings when outside the home
- not attend high-risk settings, unless as a critical worker and an exemption is in place – read about exemptions
- inform their workplace that they are a close contact
It is also recommended that close contacts:
- avoid large gatherings and social events
- avoid contact with people at risk of severe disease including elderly, immunocompromised and those with chronic conditions
- maintain all COVID-safe behaviours.
Read about the new requirements for close contacts.
Until 12.01am Monday 2 May 2022, the current rules remain meaning close contacts must continue to quarantine. On Monday 2 May, anyone who was in quarantine can leave home but must follow the close contact rules for the remainder of their seven-day period.
There are no changes to requirements for positive cases – isolation requirements remain in place for anyone who has received a positive RAT or PCR test result. Read about the requirements for positive cases.
The need to check in at certain businesses and events will also be removed from 12.01am Monday 2 May 2022.
Businesses and organisations will need to update their COVID-19 Safety Plans in line with the changes.