Covid Qld: PCR testing edict interfering with testing, tracing

Queensland’s demand for PCR tests for travellers is interfering with testing and tracing legitimate cases and contacts, the nation’s top doctor is warning.

Queensland is pressing ahead with demanding PCR tests for travellers despite the nation’s top doctor warning the edict is interfering with testing and tracing legitimate cases and contacts.

But National Cabinet, which met for an emergency meeting yesterday, failed to reach a decision on whether to bring forward eligibility for booster shots, instead leaving it with the advisory body on immunisation.

Similarly a national definition for close and casual contacts will not be agreed upon until at least the next National Cabinet in a fortnight, and no consensus was reached on testing requirements for travel.

It comes as the Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged Australians to wear masks indoors – but stopped short of mandating it.

There is increasing evidence that Omicron is moving particularly among younger people, it has milder symptoms but its high transmissibility could put strain on health systems without additional health measures, National Cabinet was told when it met yesterday.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australians should wear a mask when indoors. Picture: Gary Ramage/NCA NewsWire

The requirement for PCR tests to travel could be dropped today or replaced with rapid antigen testing, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, with no advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee supporting the need.

But several premiers demanded the medical advisory board come back with evidence on why PCR tests would not be needed – which will take two weeks to report at the next National Cabinet.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was standing by the policy, saying she did not want the Omicron variant rampant in Queensland, but left the door open to switching to rapid antigen tests in the near future.

Just one-in-1000 travellers being tested are coming back positive, while they were taking up to a quarter of the people lining up at Covid clinics across the country, Mr Morrison said.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly said there were long waits to get tested in the ACT, NSW and Victoria with results taking up to three days to come back.

“The reliance on testing to travel is interfering with one of the two things we’ve got to decrease the caseload and protect Australians,” he said.

Mr Morrison said it was putting unnecessary pressure on the testing system and redirecting resources away from better uses, including re-establishing vaccine hubs.

Prior to the National Cabinet meeting, Ms Palaszczuk said there would be no change to the requirement for people to get a test 72 hours before arriving in Queensland despite southern states – largely New South Wales – struggling to produce results in time.

“It’s frustrating for people in New South Wales because there are so many people getting tested because the variant Omicron is rampant in New South Wales,” the Premier said.

“Guess what, I don’t want it rampant here in Queensland at the moment – I want Queenslanders to have a good, safe new year.”

She said she would be happy to get advice of rapid antigen tests, but indicated that change would not happen before the new year.

Prof Kelly said there was no doubt now that Omicron was replacing Delta as the dominant strain.

“Omicron is here, we have to learn to live with it,” he said.

Chief Medical Office Professor Paul Kelly says demands for PCR tests to travel were interfering with the testing and tracing system. Picture: Gary Ramage/NCA NewsWire

He urged Australians who were eligible to get their booster shot, five months after their second dose, to get it as soon as possible.

Operation Covid Shield boss Lieutenant-General John Frewen said Australia had enough booster shot supply and distribution systems in place to meet full demand through to the end of April.

Vaccination for the five to 11-year-old age group will not be affected by the increased booster rollout.

Mr Morrison said ATAGI, the immunisation advisory body, was meeting to discuss whether to bring forward eligibility for a booster shot to less than five months, and if a third dose would be needed to be considered fully vaccinated.

But he said the issue of the gap between doses and whether a full course was three doses was less important than wearing masks indoors and getting boosters when currently eligible.

“My main message is to stay calm, get your booster, follow the common sense behavioural measures as you’re going into Christmas,” Mr Morrison said.

National Cabinet was also strongly advised that masks should be worn indoors, but Mr Morrison would not say if the medical advice recommended it be mandated.

“You don’t need to be forced to do it, it is a very clear message. Wear a mask,” he said.