NSW Covid: Isolation rules, workplace vaccination requirements to change

A number of remaining Covid rules will be scrapped from tonight. Find out what they are, and the restrictions that will continue.

The NSW Government will ease Covid-19 isolation restrictions and workplace vaccination requirements from Friday night.

From 6pm, the seven day isolation rules for close contacts will be scrapped as well as vaccination requirements for key workforces.

While NSW residents who are household contacts of positive cases will no longer need to isolate, they will be required to follow a number of precautions for seven days.

Close contacts must not visit aged care, hospitals, disability, and correctional facilities for a week, unless a special exemption applies.

When not in their own home, they will need to wear a mask indoors, and take a RAT test before interacting with people they don’t live with, if practicable.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet praises the state’s vaccination rates. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Vaccination requirements for key workforces will also be lifted from 6pm Friday, except for disability and aged care workers.

Rules requiring unvaccinated travellers to undergo hotel quarantine, as well as public transport capacity caps, will be lifted on April 30.

Mask requirements on public transport are one of the only restrictions still in place.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet praised the state’s vaccination rates which prompted the rule changes.

“This will provide immediate relief for so many workforces and businesses who have been hit hard by labour shortages as people are forced to isolate because they are a household contact.”

Mr Perrottet said NSW should be “incredibly proud” of the circumstances the state is now in after two years of the Covid pandemic.

Unvaccinated travellers will not need to undergo hotel quarantine from April 30. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has said individuals should still prioritise the safety of vulnerable members of the community.

“We are still in a pandemic and the basic rules of hand hygiene, wearing a mask when you cannot socially distance and staying at home if you have symptoms still apply,” Mr Hazzard said.

Close contacts of positive Covid-19 cases will no longer have to isolate for seven days.

NEW GUIDELINES FOR COVID CLOSE CONTACTS IN NSW

Is there anywhere I can’t go?

The guidelines provided by the NSW Government for close contacts says that individuals who are close contacts of positive Covid-19 cases should not visit hospitals, aged care, disability or correctional facilities.

Do I have to wear a mask?

The NSW Government has advised all close contacts to wear a face mask whenever indoors and in public venues however close contacts will not have to wear masks in their own home.

Vaccination requirements for key workforces will also change on Friday.

What other precautions should I take?

Close contacts are being advised to consider taking a rapid antigen test (RAT) before meeting up with people outside of their household and avoid being in contact with people who are elderly or immunocompromised.

Can I go to work?

If you identify as a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case, you should advise your employer and request to work from home if possible.

What if I have Covid-19 symptoms?

If you are a close contact and then develop Covid-19 symptoms, you must undertake a PCR test and if you return a positive result, you must begin the mandatory seven-day isolation period.

Are there any changes for positive Covid-19 cases?

There are no changes to the rules for people who test positive to Covid-19. The seven-day isolation requirement is still in place for anyone who tests positive via a RAT or PCR test.

How long do I have to follow these guidelines for?

Close contacts will be required to follow the prescribed guidelines for seven days from the time their positive household contact tests positive for Covid-19.