Australia’s Covid changes: What you need to know

National cabinet has made major changes in the battle against Covid-19, and Omicron in particular. Here’s how things stand.

National cabinet has made major changes in the battle against Covid-19, and how Australia will tackle the Omicron outbreak. Here’s how things stand.

WILL MASKS BE MANDATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

No, Mr Morrison said mandated mask use was not an issue for the federal government. He did, however, urge people to use “common sense” to protect their health.

“Mask wearing in indoor spaces in public areas is, of course, highly recommended, whether it’s mandated or not,” he said “That’s what we should be doing in the same way as we go into the summer season (and) people will be slapping on their sunscreen. There’s no rule or requirement to do that – but it is strongly recommended health advice (so mask use) is in the same category.”

WILL WE BE BACK TO LOCKDOWNS?

No.Mr Morrison said: “One thing we agreed today is we are not going back into lockdowns … we don’t want lockdowns”.

WILL THERE BE AN AGREED DEFINITION OF CLOSE AND CASUAL COVID CONTACTS?

Yes, but not until January, with an expert medical panel to recommend before the definitions are agreed upon.
“We cannot have different rules in different places about what a close contact is and what a casual contact is,” Mr Morrison said.

WILL THERE BE A CHANGE IN HOW QR CODES ARE USED?

Mr Morrison said that in states with low case numbers they would be continue to be used for contract tracing, but that was not a “realistic proposition” when there were very high case numbers. The codes were still helpful to help in states with high numbers of cases “for people to self manage or self regulate their own Covid responses.”

ARE CHANGES LIKELY IN TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERSTATE TRAVEL?

Maybe. Members of national cabinet agreed to reconsider their rules to help avoid what the prime minister described as “terrible lines” of people waiting for testing. The federal and Victorian governments are lobbying other states to abandon strict testing rules.

WAS THERE A COMMITMENT TO SHORTEN THE AMOUNT OF TIME BETWEEN A SECOND VACCINE DOSE AND A BOOSTER?

No, the cabinet is waiting on Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice on the interval, which stands at five months. ATAGI would also decide where to prioritise boosters.

HAVE THERE BEEN DECISIONS MADE TO IMPROVE THE BOOSTER PROGRAM?

Yes. GPs and pharmacists will receive an extra $10 from the federal government for every booster administered and state-run vaccination hubs will be reopened to help with the rollout.

Originally published as Australia’s Covid changes: What you need to know