What can we expect in 2022? 22 Covid-19 questions answered

The ‘new normal’ is coming in 2022 but we still don’t really know what it will look like. Here we answer all your questions about working, travelling, local sports and generally having fun in the year ahead.

The ‘new normal’ is coming in 2022 but we still don’t really know what it will look like. Here we answer all your questions about working, travelling and having fun, while staying safe against Covid, in the year ahead.

1. When will Queensland hit 90 per cent fully vaccinated?

Authorities have said this will occur in January however no specific date has been set.

2. What will happen if a player of junior sport or a coach tests positive?

Queensland Health’s current arrangements will continue as they are – for now. This means if you are considered to be a close contact, you must get tested and isolate immediately for 14 days – regardless of a negative test. The people you live with must also quarantine for 14 days, or unless otherwise advised, but do not need to get a test if they don’t have symptoms.

Chief Operating Officer at Basketball Queensland Joshua Pascoe said their directive from Queensland Sport and Recreation was that all health directives would be followed.

TennisGear owner Mark Bloomfield also said if a positive case visited a venue, the business would follow health guidelines.

“The important thing for us as tennis facility operators, is to ensure all our staff are fully vaccinated, especially where they are working with schoolchildren and higher risk players, plus, ensure our participation records and check-in data is accurate,” he said.

“This will provide authorities the best opportunity to inform close contacts, should they need to.

3. What will happen if a school student or teacher tests positive?

The state government has repeatedly insisted that these situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis. However current arrangements will continue for the time being, meaning if you are considered to be a close contact then you must get tested and isolate immediately for 14 days. The government this week announced that all teachers and school staff will need to be vaccinated before school begins in 2022. This mandate extends to cleaners and maintenance staff who need to access school grounds, but doesn’t include parents.

4. What will happen if someone tests positive in my workplace?

Queensland Health’s current arrangements will continue as they are – for now. This means if you are considered to be a close contact, you must get tested and isolate immediately for 14 days – regardless of a negative test. The people you live with must also quarantine for 14 days, or unless otherwise advised, but do not need to get a test if they don’t have symptoms. The business may be required to close for cleaning however once that is completed it can reopen.

5. What will happen if a positive case visits a business like a cafe?

Business owners may be required to undertake a deep clean. Health authorities may require close contacts, including staff members, to isolate and be tested. Once that business has reopened, it is safe to visit.

6. What restrictions will there be for unvaccinated people from December 17 and will they be permanent?

People will be required to show their vaccination certificate when entering a venue or event including pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants. If they don’t, they can be asked to leave. If they refuse to leave, police can be called. Unvaccinated people also won’t be allowed to attend indoor entertainment venues like concerts or outdoor festivals. They also won’t be permitted to enter hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons and disability accommodation services. However Queensland Health has said there will be exceptions for medical treatment, end-of-life visits, childbirth and emergency situations for the unvaccinated. Residents and patients of hospitals, residential aged care, disability accommodation services and prisons will also be exempt from the mandate. It’s not known whether this mandate is permanent, with the state government to review restrictions once the state hits 90 per cent double dose. But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said restrictions won’t necessarily ease for the unvaccinated once Queensland reaches that milestone.

7. What will unvaccinated people be allowed to do?

Unvaccinated people will be able to access essential services and activities from December 17. This includes going to grocery stores, pharmacies, post offices, newsagents and clothing stores, and being able to participate in activities like going to the gym for exercise.

8. When do I get my booster shot?

Six months after your second vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is recommended for your booster shot regardless of what jab you initially received. You can get this from your GP or a participating pharmacy. You don’t need to receive it from where you had your first and second doses. The booster shot is free.

9. Am I considered fully vaccinated without my booster shot?

Booster shots are not mandatory however they’re recommended to maintain your immunity against Covid-19.

Megan Brocherie, 19, received her first dose of the Covid vaccine last month. Picture: Zak Simmonds

10. Do I need to get a second booster shot?

It’s not known yet whether additional booster shots will be required – however health experts believe the vaccine could end up becoming a yearly requirement like the flu shot.

11. Is Queensland still expected to hit 80 per cent double dose on December 17?

Yes, although it could be reached earlier around December 10. While vaccinated interstate travellers will be able to travel to Queensland without quarantine when the state hits 80 per cent double dose, restrictions for the unvaccinated will begin on December 17.

12. Will international travel resume before Queensland hits 90 per cent double dose?

No. Queensland authorities have ruled this out.

New South Wales: From November 1, New South Wales citizens and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated are allowed to leave Australia. No exemption is required. Some countries and airlines require a negative Covid-19 PCR test at check-in in order to leave Australia. Travellers will not have to undertake quarantine once they come back.

Victoria: From November 1, Victoria citizens and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated are allowed to leave Australia. No exemption is required. Some countries and airlines require a negative Covid-19 PCR test at check-in in order to leave Australia. Travellers will not have to undertake quarantine once they come back.

13. Can I go to a shopping centre if I am unvaccinated?

Yes. Shopping centres offer essential services like clothing and food – but you must check-in to every store that you visit and maintain social distancing.

14. Can unvaccinated people come to my wedding?

They can, however your guest list will be restricted to 20 people – and this includes the bridal party. If the entire wedding party is vaccinated, the one person per 2 square metres rule or 200 people – or 100 per cent allocated seated and ticketed capacity will apply — whichever is the greater. All guests will be able dance at indoor and outdoor weddings — subject to the one person per 2 square metres rule. Once Queensland reaches 80 per cent double dose, no density limits – indoor or outdoor – will apply as long as all attendees are vaccinated.

15. Will mass vaccination hubs remain open once the state hits 80 per cent double dose?

Potentially not. Once these milestones are reached, Queensland will adjust its vaccine rollout model to target pockets of low vaccination rates. This will mean taking a more flexible approach and enabling more opportunistic vaccinations where people, work, live, shop and play, as opposed to centralised mass vaccination hubs.

16. Will 7 day home quarantine be rolled out in Queensland?

Not right now. Quarantine periods will be determined once Australian Health Protection Principal Committee advice has been received and considered. This period may be up to 14 days.

17. Will contact tracing still be needed once the state hits 80 per cent double dose?

Yes, authorities will continue to use Queensland’s check-in app for this while people will be urged to check exposure sites published by Queensland Health.

18. Will Queensland Health continue uploading exposure sites once the state hits 80 and 90 per cent double dose?

Yes. Providing information about exposure sites will continue to remain important components of Queensland’s response to Covid-19.

Queensland Police checking Covid border passes at Brisbane Domestic Airport last month. Picture: Richard Walker

19. How do I show my vaccine certificate if I don’t have a mobile phone?

You can provide a printed copy of your immunisation history or a printed copy of your Covid-19 digital certificate. You can access these via myGov online, asking your GP to print one or by calling the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809.

20. What do I do if I need to go to court but I am unvaccinated?

Unvaccinated people will be able to access essential services, which includes courts. Capacity restrictions may still be in place.

21. Is the vaccine being mandated for all public servants?

This is currently being considered but no decisions have been made. It has been made mandatory for police, health workers, teachers, aged care workers and prison officers.

22. Can I travel interstate if I’m not fully vaccinated?

Queensland:

Travellers to Queensland must be fully vaccinated and it must be at least two weeks since their second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. People who cannot be vaccinated — such as those who are not eligible due to age or have an exemption from a qualified medical practitioner — will be treated as vaccinated for the purposes of entry and quarantine requirements.

Victoria:

Domestic visitors to Victoria regardless of their vaccination status will no longer need a travel permit to enter the state, or will be required to quarantine.

New South Wales:

Domestic visitors regardless of their vaccination status can enter New South Wales as long as they have not been to an affected area, area of concern or a place of high concern in the past 14 days.

South Australia:

Travellers to the South Australia must be fully vaccinated. Covid-19 vaccination requirements apply to all travellers over 12 years and 2 months of age, including returning South Australian residents.

Northern Territory:

Travellers to the Northern Territory must be fully vaccinated, except for people unable to be vaccinated (such as children under 12 years). If you arrive in the Northern Territory and you are unvaccinated, not a returning resident or don’t have an approved exemption, you will be asked to leave.

ACT:

Domestic travellers who have not been to a high-risk geographical area in the last 14 days can enter the ACT regardless of their vaccination status. Fully vaccinated travellers may enter the ACT, even if they have been to a high-risk area.

Tasmania:

Currently domestic travellers can enter Tasmania only if they have been in a low-risk area in the 14 days prior to travel. Unvaccinated travellers aged 12 years and two months and older from these low risk areas will be required to apply to enter Tasmania. If approved, quarantine and other conditions may apply. From 15 December 2021 interstate travel will open to the country and travellers aged 12 years and two months and older, including returning residents, will need to be fully vaccinated.

Western Australia:

Approved domestic travellers to Western Australia must be fully vaccinated and from a low-risk jurisdiction. Tasmania and Queensland are currently the only states listed as “very low-risk jurisdictions”. Travellers must be vaccinated, complete a mandatory G2G PASS registration and declaration, and complete a health screening on arrival at Perth Airport.