Major changes to Covid quarantine rules announced for NSW with more expected

NSW has confirmed major changes to its Covid isolation rules with another huge shift also expected next year.

Most people exposed to Covid-19 in NSW will only have to isolate until they receive a negative PCR test result under a major overhaul of the state’s quarantine system.

As the state reported a record 11,201 new infections on Wednesday, health officials confirmed they were scrapping the mandatory seven-day isolation period for the majority of people.

In a statement, NSW Health said it would only contact “a small number” of exposed people to direct them into self-isolation, such as healthcare workers or other high-risk groups.

“Most people who become aware that they been exposed to a person with Covid-19 will be advised of this by their friends, colleagues and social networks,” the department said.

“Most people who have spent time with a person with Covid-19 in an indoor setting are NSW Health said about 25 per cent of people exposed to the virus may still develop their infection after seven days.

“For the next seven days, they should exercise caution and avoid high-risk settings and large indoor gatherings, and use a rapid antigen test if coming into contact with vulnerable people,” it said.

NSW Health has quietly updated the isolation rules for people who test positive. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

With the state’s testing clinics and pathology staff under immense pressure and people waiting days for results, NSW Health has quietly updated the rules on its website for people who test positive.

Covid-19 positive people in NSW were required to isolate for 10 days from when they received their test result, but this has been changed to 10 days from the day they were tested.

People can return to the community after that period, if they are managing their own care, while those who are being looked after by a GP or a medical team can leave isolation when medically cleared.

The state government is also mulling a proposal to wind down the quarantine period for asymptomatic Covid-19 cases.

NSW residents who contract the virus but don’t have symptoms would have their isolation period slashed from 10 days to five under the plan.

Australia’s chief health officers are reportedly considering shortening isolation periods across the states and territories as the country transitions to living with the virus in the new year.

The Age newspaper reported the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee is expected to report back early next year, with its recommendations likely to be presented to state and territory leaders at national cabinet.

It isn’t yet clear if the NSW government would wait until national cabinet can discuss and potentially agree on a uniform approach to Covid-19 quarantine or if it would move to reduce its own isolation requirements sooner.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has repeatedly asked people to get PCR tests only if symptomatic. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention this week approved the shortening of the recommended quarantine period to five days, if a person is asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others.

Harvard University epidemiologist Eric-Feigl Ding said testing would be key to containing the virus with a shorter isolation period.

“I think the change should only come with negative testing. If you’re going to reduce it from 10 days of isolation to five days, you have to really have some sort of proof that you’re not infectious anymore,” he told Today.

NSW Health Brad Hazzard says officials are considering reducing quarantine requirements. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said officials in his state were considering reducing the quarantine period but he would prefer a national approach.

“I firmly believe it’s worthy of strong consideration, but preferably it should be done in a national uniform approach approved through (the Health Protection Principal Committee),” he said.

“I’m very aware the CDC has reduced the period of isolation. This is a proportionate risk environment that we’re in, and having periods of isolation that impinge on the economic capacity of business and individuals is very problematic.”

Dr Kerry Chant is reportedly considering reducing quarantine requirements, with Australia’s other chief health officers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The change would form part of a quarantine overhaul under way in NSW to minimise disruption caused by isolation requirements with 95 per cent first-dose vaccine coverage of over 16s but high daily case numbers.

NSW has recorded more than 6000 Covid-19 infections each day this week, with unprecedented demand on testing clinics and almost 2000 healthcare workers furloughed as they wait for results.

Mr Perrottet has repeatedly asked residents only to come forward for PCR testing if they have Covid-19 symptoms or if they have been directed by NSW Health, to alleviate some of the pressure on pathology clinics.

The NSW government this week changed its requirements for healthcare workers in a bid to stem staff shortages, with their close contact isolation period cut in half from a fortnight to seven days.

The NSW Premier and NSW Health have been contacted for comment.