COVID-19 isolation rules to change in NSW and Victoria. Here are the key things to knowResidents of New South Wales and Victoria will no longer be required to isolate for seven days if they are deemed to be a close contact of COVID-19 as both states make further relaxations to long-standing public health orders.
In the latest round of winding down restrictions – which both states have adopted with slightly different conditions – household close contacts will be free to leave the home but must still perform regular rapid antigen tests.
In both states a positive case of COVID-19 must still isolate for seven days. Here's what we know about the easing restrictions:
What is changing today for COVID-19 restrictions in NSW and Victoria?NSW and Victoria are relaxing their COVID-19 restrictions that require a household contact (that is someone who lives in the same home as a positive COVID-19 case) to isolate for seven days.
In NSW restrictions will ease at 6pm this Friday, while in Victoria they will ease at 11:59pm this Friday. (Louise Kennerley)
Does that mean household contacts can just live their lives freely?No. While the mandatory isolation period is being scrapped, there are still some conditions remaining.
In NSW household contacts must wear a face mask in all indoor settings outside the home, undertake a rapid antigen test daily, and are not allowed to visit aged care homes, hospitals, disability or correctional facilities.
In Victoria household contacts must also wear a face mask when outside the home but in an indoor setting, they must avoid all "sensitive" settings such as aged care and hospitals, and they must perform five rapid antigen tests over the course of seven days.
What about people who test positive to COVID-19?In both NSW and Victoria people who test positive to COVID-19, either via rapid antigen or a PCR test, must still isolate for seven days.
If I'm deemed to be a household contact, can I still go to work?Most likely, but it depends.
In NSW it is advised for household contacts to work from home "where practical". Critical or essential workers will not be required to have a formal exemption but must still comply with rules set in place by their employer.
In Victoria it is also recommended for close contacts to work from home if possible. Masks remain "strongly recommended" when a person cannot physically distance.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-nsw-vic-restrictions-update-close-contact-rules-changing-everything-to-know-explainer/2b98bc57-32f0-480b-9e1e-a38d69aa63bc---------------------------------------------
Summary of changes to restrictions in Victoria https://twitter.com/covidbaseau/status/1516596788974682117