Qld’s major Covid rules scrapped as state moves towards ‘new normal’
Queensland has announced a massive change to the state’s Covid rules after Victoria and NSW confirmed a major relaxation in restrictions.
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Queensland is set to scrap the close contact isolation requirement along with other Covid restrictions in an effort to get people back to work.
From 6pm next Thursday, close contacts of positive cases will no longer be required to isolate for seven days as the state moves towards a “new normal”.
Today we have recorded 8,080 new COVID-19 cases.
— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) April 22, 2022
Sadly, we have reported 5 deaths in the past 24 hours.
Full detailsâž¡ï¸ https://t.co/MyDwPPidE5pic.twitter.com/zMIwEiFpCR
Close contacts will now be required to wear face masks in indoor settings when they leave the home, avoid “high-risk” settings such as hospitals and use rapid antigen tests every two days to monitor results.
People will still need to contact their employer and alert them of their Covid status.
They will also not be required to show their vaccination passports or check-in when entering pubs, clubs, cafes or restaurants.
The major shift comes after the state is believed to have passed the peak of their latest Omicron surge, with case numbers dropping daily across all age groups.
The state is also set to welcome unvaccinated international arrivals from Thursday.
But they will still be asked to return a negative test 24 hours after arrival.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath praised the state’s vaccination rates that encouraged the government to ease restrictions in a press conference on Friday.
“I do want to thank all Queenslanders for the tremendous work that they have done in managing the virus and following the restrictions so far,” she said.
“We are moving from a situation where these measures are controlled by public health directives and now leaving it to individuals and employers to look at these for my workplace health and safety measure.”
“It’s an individual choice now,”
Ms D’Ath said Queensland is still above the “low threshold mark” after first wave of Omicron which is why the state scheduled the easing of restrictions for next week.
The changes comes as the state has 45,131 active cases including 8808 new infections on Friday.
Five people have died in the most recent 24-hour reporting period.
There are currently 528 people who are hospitalised with Covid – 18 are in ICU.
More than 92 per cent of Queenslanders are fully vaccinated.
Ms D’Ath urged people who are yet to receive their booster shot to book an appointment.
Originally published as Qld’s major Covid rules scrapped as state moves towards ‘new normal’
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