Queensland’s close contact rules to stay for now, Covid numbers spike again

As other states announce a drop in household close contact rules, the Health Minister was unable to confirm if Queensland would follow suit. It comes as the state recorded another spike in cases.

It is unclear if Queensland will follow other states in dropping close contact rules as Covid numbers continue to rise again.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said there are 8995 new cases today with over 500 in hospitals, including 32 in the ICU.

Ms D’Ath said she believes the actual cases active across Queensland are far higher than what is being officially recorded.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath could not confirm if Queensland would follow other states in dropping close contact rules.

New South Wales and Victoria are set to scrap close contact rules, and Ms D’Ath said it is possible Queensland could soon follow suit.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath could not confirm if Queensland would follow other states in dropping close contact rules. Picture David Clark

“I have had some conversations with the health ministers from New South Wales and Victoria,” Ms D’Ath said.

“We know AHPPC have released a proposal on what they think should occur when we do lift close contact quarantine requirements.

“I’m just waiting to hear from New South Wales and Victoria, what the details are as far as the lifting of any quarantine requirements and what will be required of individuals who are living in a household where someone’s positive”.

But Ms D’Ath said they haven’t made any changes yet and are waiting to hear back from the AHPPC.

The AHPPC suggested the change in close contact rules should occur after the recent wave.

“New South Wales and Victoria have always been ahead of us in terms of the waves,” she said.

The Chief Health Officer would brief Ms D’Ath further on the matter Wednesday afternoon.

“I won’t speak today but I want to see the details of what New South Wales and Victoria are announcing as well.”

“I wouldn’t like this to be a national decision where all States and Territories implement changes at the same time to avoid any confusion, particularly when we’ve got so many people travelling from interstate now and around the country”.

New South Wales and Victoria have introduced slightly different conditions which let household close contacts free to leave the home but must still perform regular rapid antigen tests.

To clarify, in both states a positive Covid-19 case must still isolate for seven days.

Current close contract rules in Queensland:

1. Immediately quarantine

If you are a close contact in Queensland you must still quarantine for seven days and get tested if you have symptoms.

If you live with the person diagnosed with COVID-19 you must quarantine from the date that person took the initial test that returned a positive result

Or if you don’t live with the person diagnosed with COVID-19, you must quarantine from the date you last had contact with them

2. Get tested if you have symptoms

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms during your quarantine period, you must get tested. Take a COVID-19 test (Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or a PCR test) on Day 1.

If your first RAT is negative and you’ve got COVID-19 symptoms, you should take a PCR test or a second RAT.

If you test positive, follow the first steps if you have COVID-19.

If any other close contact quarantining with you tests positive, you will need to restart your quarantine period from the date they had their test.

3. Get the things you need

Any deliveries must be no contact.

Ask friends or family members you don’t live with to get food and medication for you and leave it at your door.

Arrange a food delivery service. Have all food left outside your house. Do not let any delivery person into your home or accommodation.

4. Get tested on day six

Get tested on Day 6 of your quarantine period. You can get tested using a RAT kit or a PCR test.

If you have no COVID-19 symptoms at the end of day 7 of your quarantine period and the Day 6 test is negative, you may leave quarantine.