Superseded - Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 6)
This direction has been superseded on 28 April 2022. See the current Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 7).
Summary
Effective from: 9.15am AEST 28 March 2022
Posted: 28 March 2022
Superseded on: 28 April 2022
Direction from Chief Health Officer in accordance with emergency powers arising from the declared public health emergency
Public Health Act 2005 (Qld)
Section 362B
On 29 January 2020, under the Public Health Act 2005, the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services made an order declaring a public health emergency in relation to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The public health emergency area specified in the order is for ‘all of Queensland’. Its duration has been extended by regulation to 24 June 2022 and may be further extended.
Further to this declaration, l, Dr John Gerrard, Chief Health Officer, reasonably believe it is necessary to give the following directions pursuant to the powers under s 362B of the Public Health Act 2005 to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community.
Preamble
This public health direction amends the requirements for a diagnosed person and for close contacts contained in the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.5) for the purpose of protecting the health of the community and health workers, and to safeguard the delivery of hospital care in Queensland. The direction mitigates the risk of the spread of COVID-19 by providing a consistent and best practice approach to the management of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in Queensland and close contacts.
This Public Health Direction specifies the requirements that apply to individuals who have received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and who are close contacts, either as household members of a diagnosed case or who have had household-like contact for more than four hours in a house, other accommodation, and similar settings.
Separately from the requirements under Public Health Directions, under sections 362G and 362H of the Public Health Act 2005, a person may be given a direction by an emergency officer (public health) to stay at or in a particular place for up to 14 days if the emergency officer believes it is reasonably necessary to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
This Public Health Direction is to be read in conjunction with other Public Health Directions issued under section 362B of the Public Health Act 2005 that have not expired or been revoked.
Citation
This Public Health Direction may be referred to as the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.6).
Revocation
The Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.5) made on 31 January 2022 is revoked and replaced by this Direction from the time of publication.
Commencement
This Direction applies from the time of publication until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless it is revoked or replaced.
Application
This Direction applies to a diagnosed person and to a close contact of a diagnosed person in Queensland.
Where a person is in quarantine under the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No.22) or its successor (travel quarantine) at the time they become a diagnosed person, the provisions of this public health direction apply in relation to the time for the person’s release from isolation and for post-isolation requirements and no further period of travel quarantine is required, but for a close contact any continuing travel quarantine requirements apply once the quarantine period under this direction ends. The conditions of quarantine relating to suitable premises and persons leaving or entering the premises under the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No.22) apply for the entire period of isolation or quarantine.
PART 1 — DIRECTION –ISOLATION FOR DIAGNOSED CASES OF COVID-19
The purpose of this Part is to require persons diagnosed with COVID-19 to isolate in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Subject to paragraph 8, a diagnosed person must immediately upon being informed of their positive COVID-19 test result, travel directly by private transport or by transport arranged by a government authority to isolate for a period of 7 full days from the day of undertaking the test, or as otherwise directed by an emergency officer (public health) at:
their home, where their home is no more than two hours of safe driving distance from where the diagnosed person is informed of their positive COVID-19 test result; or
place of accommodation, or other suitable premises; or
another nominated premises as otherwise directed by an emergency officer (public health).
Note: To calculate the isolation period, day 0 is the day the case took their first positive test. Day 1 is the first full day 24 hours after the positive test was taken. This applies regardless of when the test results are received.
Example: A person undertakes a COVID-19 test at 3.00pm on a Monday afternoon and receives a positive result. Day 0 is Monday, the day of the test, and the person must complete 7 full days (7 full 24 hour periods) of isolation, which ends the following Monday afternoon at 3.00pm, if the person does not have a fever or acute respiratory symptoms at that time.
Despite paragraph 7 a diagnosed person may travel directly to hospital by private transport or by ambulance to seek emergency treatment.
A diagnosed person must:
Inform their household and household like contacts that they are a confirmed case of COVID-19 and that each household member is considered to be a close contact; and
not leave their home, place of accommodation, other suitable premises or other nominated premises, except:
for the purposes of seeking medical treatment at a hospital in accordance with paragraph 8; or
Example — a person leaving isolation to go to a hospital by ambulance.
to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or
Example — escaping a risk of harm related to sexual or domestic and family violence; or accessing support from a domestic and family violence support service.
in the event of an emergency situation; or
Example — a person leaving isolation to go to a hospital for emergency medical treatment, due to an emergency at the premises such as fire or flood.
to attend a birthing suite as a support person to a birthing mother, where the operator of a hospital has approved the person’s attendance; or
as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health); and
Note: a diagnosed person entering a vulnerable and high risk setting must advise the setting that they are a diagnosed person in-isolation, preferably before entering the setting.
must only travel under paragraph 9(b)(i) (iii), (iv) or (v) by:
private vehicle; or
ambulance service; or
transport arranged by a government authority; and
must not permit any other person to enter the premises or separate part of the premises used for isolation unless that other person:
usually resides at the premises or is residing at the premises for the purpose of isolation; or
enters the premises to provide emergency, medical or other essential care to a person residing in the premises; or
as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health).
Note: a diagnosed person is taken to have not permitted entry to the premises if entry occurs without the diagnosed person’s permission or is outside their control.
A diagnosed person must wear a surgical mask, and follow any additional infection control measures:
when directed to do so by an emergency officer (public health); and
when leaving isolation as permitted under paragraph 9(b), unless it is not practicable because of the emergency situation or the need to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm.
Note: if a diagnosed person is evacuated in an emergency situation, they must advise emergency personnel they are a diagnosed person.
PART 1A – RELEASE FROM ISOLATION – DIAGNOSED PERSON
A diagnosed person subject to paragraph 7 may leave isolation, and is deemed to be a cleared case of COVID-19, at the earlier of:
if the positive result for the diagnosed person is found to be a historic infection and the person is no longer considered infectious, the requirement to isolate ends, provided the diagnosed person does not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19; or
7 full days from the day of undertaking the test, if the person has no fever or acute respiratory symptoms, and a direction to isolate has not been given to the person under section 362H of the Public Health Act 2005; or
Note: when fever or acute respiratory symptoms are still present on day 7 of isolation, a diagnosed person should remain in isolation until fever and acute respiratory symptoms have resolved.
Note: 7 full days is 7 24 hour periods.
Example: a diagnosed person was tested at 3.00pm on Monday afternoon, Monday is Day 0, and the person must complete 7 full 24 hour periods (7 days) in isolation, and may leave isolation after 3.00pm on Monday of the following week if they have no fever or acute respiratory symptoms at that time.
when fever or acute respiratory symptoms have resolved, if the diagnosed person has fever or acute respiratory symptoms on Day 7 of isolation; or
Note: a diagnosed person who has a mild ‘post viral’ cough after fever or acute respiratory symptoms have resolved, may leave isolation. The diagnosed persons does not need to have another COVID-19 test before leaving isolation.
if a direction has been given to the person under section 362H of the Public Health Act 2005, at the time provided in that direction.
PART 1B – POST-ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS– DIAGNOSED PERSON
A person who has been a diagnosed person and who has been released from isolation must, for 7 full days from the end of isolation wear a face mask covering the person’s nose and mouth at all times outside the home, including outdoors when unable to remain physically distant from persons other than household members unless–
the person is an infant or child under 12 years; or
the person, including an infant or child, has a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, which makes wearing a face mask unsuitable; or
is asked to remove the face mask to ascertain the person’s identity; or
for whom wearing a face mask would create any other serious risk to that person’s life or health and safety, including if determined through work Occupational Health and Safety guidelines; or
for emergency purposes; or
if required or authorised by law; or
doing so is not safe in all the circumstances; or
a higher level of personal protective equipment than a face mask is required by a venue, facility or setting.
A person who has been a diagnosed person, and who has been released from isolation must not, for 7 full days from the end of isolation, enter and remain in a vulnerable and high risk setting, unless the person:
requires medical care at a healthcare facility; or
is permitted to enter as an employee of the vulnerable and high risk setting; or
is entering the vulnerable and high risk setting in the performance of an official duty as an emergency services responder and is complying with the face mask requirements and any additional infection control measures of the setting; or
is permitted to enter the vulnerable and high risk setting under another public health direction; or
is a resident of the vulnerable and high risk setting; or
is a support person for a birthing mother in the birthing suite of a hospital and the operator of the hospital has approved their attendance.
Note: a person to whom paragraphs (c) to (h) apply is not subject to the face mask requirement while a condition in (c) to (h) apply but must comply with the requirement to wear a face mask when the condition no longer applies.
Note: nothing in this direction prevents an employer or school from exercising its lawful authority to require employees or students to follow school protocols, policies and procedures for the health and safety of all employees or students.
Note: The exclusions recognised above take into account the circumstances of particular cohorts where face mask requirements may present other risks to the person. Current recommended public health measures remain an effective response to the pandemic and can be found at [insert Qld Health website reference].
Note: In the event of an inconsistency with the Public Health Face Mask Requirements Direction (No.5), the face mask requirements of this Direction prevail to the extent of any inconsistency.
PART 2 —CLOSE CONTACT MUST QUARANTINE
A person who is informed or becomes aware they are a close contact of a diagnosed person must:
if the person has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 – as soon as practicable undertake a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 7 full days from the date of last contact with the diagnosed person; or
if the person does not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 –immediately quarantine for 7 full days from the date of last contact with the diagnosed person; and
where the close contact is quarantining with the diagnosed person as a member of their household, the quarantine period is for the same period as the isolation period of the diagnosed person; and
where the close contact develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at any time during the quarantine period - undertake a COVID-19 test as soon as reasonably practicable after the symptoms start.
The requirement to quarantine in paragraph 14, and the quarantine requirements in paragraphs 14 to 22 do not apply to a close contact who:
is a cleared case of COVID-19; and
is not immunocompromised; and
remains without symptoms consistent with COVID-19; and
if exposure to the diagnosed person occurred less than 12 weeks after the close contact was released from isolation as a cleared case of COVID-19.
A close contact required to quarantine must travel by private transport or by transport arranged by government authority or by endorsed transport provider directly to quarantine at:
their home, where their home is no more than two hours of safe driving distance from where the diagnosed person is informed of their positive COVID-19 test result; or
place of accommodation, or other suitable premises; or
another nominated premises as otherwise directed by an emergency officer (public health).
Despite paragraph 16 a close contact may travel directly to hospital by private transport or by ambulance to seek emergency treatment.
A close contact required to quarantine must not leave the premises in which they are quarantining except:
for the purpose of undertaking a COVID-19 test if required under this or another Public Health Direction, including if the person develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or is directed to be tested by an emergency officer (public health); or
Note: a person in quarantine must not leave quarantine to enter a retail store to purchase a Rapid Antigen Test but may leave to purchase or obtain a Rapid Antigen Test via a contactless process; or to attend a healthcare setting or Queensland Health testing centre to obtain either a Rapid Antigen Test or a COVID-19 PCR test.
Where a Rapid Antigen Test is required under this Direction, a COVID-19 PCR test is also acceptable.
for the purpose of transporting a close contact they are quarantining with to obtain a COVID-19 test; or
Example — a parent transporting their child who is a close contact to undertake a COVID-19 test when showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or
Example — escaping a risk of harm related to sexual or domestic and family violence.
in the event of an emergency situation; or
Example — a person leaving quarantine to go to a hospital for emergency medical treatment, or due to an emergency at the premises such as fire or flood.
to perform work in a critically essential role and the person or their employer can provide evidence, if requested by an emergency officer (public health) that the close contact meets the requirements under Part 3; or
to attend a birthing suite as a support person to a birthing mother and the operator of the hospital has approved their attendance; or
as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health).
Note: a close contact entering a vulnerable and high risk setting must advise the setting that they are a close contact in quarantine, preferably before entering the setting, and must comply with infection control requirements of the setting.
Note: if there is any uncertainty in the date of last contact with the diagnosed person, the close contact should quarantine for 7 days from the date the diagnosed person undertook the test which returned a positive COVID-19 test result, as advised to the close contact by the diagnosed person.
Note: a close contact who does not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 is not required to undertake a COVID-19 test unless they develop symptoms, or until the day 6 test which is required for their release from quarantine but is recommended to undertake a Rapid Antigen Test on Day 1 of the quarantine period.
Note: A close contact who undertakes a COVID-19 test which returns a positive result, must isolate as a diagnosed person.
Note: a close contact who is in quarantine should remain separate from other people who might ordinarily reside in the same premises as the close contact. If the close contact becomes a diagnosed person, other people residing in the home with the close contact will become close contacts and will be required to quarantine, unless they are a cleared case.
A close contact must wear a face mask outside the premises they are quarantining in:
whenever directed to do so by a public health officer; and
when leaving quarantine as permitted under paragraph 18,
unless it is not practicable because of the emergency situation or the need to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm.
Any travel under paragraph 18 by a close contact who is quarantining at a premises must be by:
ambulance service; or
emergency services vehicle; or
transport arranged by a government authority; or
endorsed transport provider; or
private transport; or
contactless hire car; or
for a critically essential role approved under Part 3 for a remote workplace - transport arranged by the employer for the exclusive use of employees.
Any person transporting a close contact must wear a face mask at all times and, to the extent reasonably practicable, practise physical distancing, when transporting the close contact.
Example: A household member who is transporting a close contact in a private vehicle. Physical distancing can be achieved through having the close contact sit in the rear passenger side seat.
A close contact must not permit any other person to enter the premises or part of the premises in which they are quarantining unless that other person:
usually resides at the premises; or
is required to enter the premises to provide emergency, medical or other essential care to a person residing in the premises; or
as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health).
Note: a close contact is taken to have not permitted entry to the premises if entry occurs without the close contact’s permission or is outside their control.
PART 2A – RELEASE FROM QUARANTINE- CLOSE CONTACT
A close contact quarantining under paragraph 14 may leave quarantine at the end of 7 full days from the date of last contact with the diagnosed person or the date the diagnosed person was tested, whichever is applicable under paragraph 14, if the close contact:
does not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and, on Day 6, has undertaken a Rapid Antigen Test that has produced a negative test result; or
has had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 during the period of quarantine but no longer has symptoms and all COVID-19 tests, including a Rapid Antigen Test on Day 6 have produced a negative test result.
Note: a close contact who has undertaken a COVID-19 test and received a positive test result during the quarantine period is a diagnosed person and will be released from isolation under Part 1A.
Note a close contact who has had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and has received a negative Rapid Antigen Test result should undertake a COVID-19 PCR test as soon as possible, or a second Rapid Antigen Test where it is not possible to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test.
Note: a close contact may undertake a COVID-19 PCR Test where a Rapid Antigen Test is required but is not available.
PART 2B – POST-QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS– CLOSE CONTACT
A person who has been a close contact and who has been released from quarantine must, for 7 full days from the end of quarantine wear a face mask covering the person’s nose and mouth at all times outside the home, including outdoors when unable to remain physically distant from persons other than household members unless–
the person is an infant or child under 12 years; or
the person, including an infant or child, has a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, which makes wearing a face mask unsuitable; or
asked to remove the face mask to ascertain the person’s identity; or
wearing a face mask would create any other serious risk to that person’s life or health and safety, including if determined through work Occupational Health and Safety guidelines; or
for emergency purposes; or
if required or authorised by law; or
if doing so is not safe in all the circumstances; or
a higher level of personal protective equipment than a face mask is required by a venue, facility or setting.
A person who has been a close contact and who has been released from quarantine must not, for 7 full days from the end of quarantine, enter and remain in a vulnerable and high risk setting, unless the person:
requires medical care at a healthcare facility; or
is permitted to enter as an employee of the vulnerable and high risk setting; or
is entering the vulnerable and high risk setting in the performance of an official duty as an emergency services responder, and is complying with the face mask requirements and any additional infection control measures of the setting; or
is permitted to enter the vulnerable and high risk setting under another public health direction; or
is a resident of the vulnerable and high risk setting; or
is a support person for a birthing mother in the birthing suite of a hospital and the operator of the hospital has approved their attendance.
Note: a person to whom paragraphs (c) to (h) apply is not subject to the face mask requirement while a condition in (c) to (h) apply but must comply with the requirement to wear a face mask when the condition no longer applies.
Note: nothing in this direction prevents an employer or school from exercising its lawful authority to require employees or students to follow school protocols, policies and procedures for the health and safety of all employees or students.
Note: The exclusions recognised above take into account the circumstances of particular cohorts where face mask requirements may present other risks to the person. Current recommended public health measures remain an effective response to the pandemic and can be found at [insert Qld Health website reference].
Note: In the event of an inconsistency with the Public Health Face Mask Requirements Direction (No.5), the face mask requirements of this Direction prevail to the extent of any inconsistency.
PART 3 — CRITICALLY ESSENTIAL ROLES
An employer in a critical industry may identify and create a Critically Essential Roles List of the critically essential roles that:
require a person with particular skills; and
must be performed in person at the workplace; and
must continue to be performed to:
prevent an immediate risk of death or serious injury to a person; or
prevent serious harm (social, economic or physical) in the community.
Note: the Critically Essential Roles List is a list of roles, including a brief description of the roles, but is not a list of named individuals and should not include roles that are performed on a volunteer basis rather than by an employee.
An employer who requests a close contact to attend the workplace to perform a critically essential role must, as soon as practicable and no later than three days after the close contact first attends the workplace:
submit the Critically Essential Roles List to the online portal via the following website https://healthserviceportal.health.qld.gov.au/hdsp and
keep an electronic record of:
the Critically Essential Roles List submitted to the Queensland Government; and
a Critical Worker List of the close contacts performing the critically essential roles, and dates and locations where the close contact worked during the quarantine period; and
any positive Rapid Antigen Test result returned by the close contact; and
Note: the Critical Worker List is a list of named individuals who are close contacts who have worked during quarantine under the provisions of Part 3 of the Direction. The list is held by the employer and is not submitted.
Note: a person who is in quarantine under the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No.22) is not permitted to leave quarantine to perform a critically essential role, including where the person also meets the definition of a close contact under this Direction.
Note: a close contact who volunteers in a workplace is not permitted to return to the workplace as a critically essential worker.
produce the records if requested by an emergency officer (public health); and
retain the records while this Public Health Direction and its successors remain in force, and for any additional period and in the manner required by privacy and record keeping requirements under State and Commonwealth legislation.
A close contact is only required to attend the workplace during quarantine to perform a critically essential role where they have provided their consent to do so. If a close contact does not consent, they must notify their employer and are not required to attend the workplace.
An employer must undertake a risk assessment before requesting an employee who is a close contact to return to the workplace to perform a critically essential role and must ensure workplace arrangements will comply with all regulatory requirements for the workplace, including Workplace Health and Safety obligations as well as the requirements of this Public Health Direction.
The Critically Essential Roles List created by an employer may be reviewed by the Director General or equivalent of a Queensland Government Department or Agency, or delegate, and is invalid if the employer has incorrectly identified itself a critical industry or incorrectly assessed the critically essential roles against the conditions in paragraph 26.
A close contact who is required to perform a critically essential role identified on a Critically Essential Role List may leave the quarantine premises to perform that critically essential role under paragraph 18 only if the close contact:
has no symptoms consistent with COVID-19; and
has an up-to-date vaccination status; and
undertakes a Rapid Antigen Test and receives a negative test result:
on the first work day, prior to commencing work, and
on every second day thereafter while working, until Day 6.
When leaving the quarantine premises to perform the critically essential role, the close contact must:
use a surgical mask when indoors, and outdoors when unable to physically distance from other people; and
travel to and from the workplace by private transport or in accordance with paragraph 20, by the most direct route practicable and without stopping, except for refuelling (contactlessly as far as possible); and
undertake regular symptom surveillance; and
Note: if the close contact develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the close contact is no longer permitted to leave the quarantine premises to attend the workplace, must be tested for COVID-19 as soon as practicable and return to the quarantine premises.
undertake regular hand hygiene; and
to the extent reasonably practicable, practise physical distancing including by remaining at least 1.5 metres from other people until the end of the quarantine period for the close contact; and
comply with any industry or employer requirements for workers in critically essential roles, including surveillance testing.
A close contact who leaves the quarantine premises to perform a critically essential role at a remote workplace may complete quarantine in suitable accommodation in the proximity of the remote workplace rather than return to the original place of quarantine at the end of each work shift.
A close contact may leave the quarantine premises for critical workforce management reasons where a Critical Workforce Management Protocol has been published by Queensland Health, provided the close contact complies with the requirements of the protocol.
A person who leaves the quarantine premises to perform critically essential work or for critical workforce management reasons under this Part must return to the premises and comply with the quarantine requirements of this Public Health Direction when not working, until the quarantine period ends.
Note: a diagnosed person may only leave the isolation premises to attend a workplace where an exemption is granted under Part 5.
Note: Employers of critically essential workers who request a close contact to attend work must provide them with a Rapid Antigen Test to ensure compliance with paragraph 31(c) of this Direction, at the expense of the employer.
Note: The close contact may undertake the Rapid Antigen Test at the worksite, prior to starting work to perform the critically essential role. If the employee does not undertake the RAT, or receives a positive test result, they must not enter or remain in the workplace, must not perform the critically essential role and must return to the quarantine premises as directly as possible.
Note: a close contact who receives a positive test result becomes a diagnosed person and is then required to isolate in accordance with this Direction.
Note: a close contact performing a critically essential role is still required to undertake a Day 6 Rapid Antigen Test that provides a negative test result to end quarantine, even though routine testing may have been undertaken on Day 5.
PART 4 – CONTACT TRACING
If requested by a public health officer, a person must:
provide the address of the premises they are isolating or quarantining at; and
a contact telephone number, email address and their date of birth; and
if a parent, guardian or responsible adult of a minor who has been deemed to be a diagnosed person or close contact, provide the minor’s name and date of birth; and
if a diagnosed person, provide contact details, including at least a name and telephone number, of any other persons who are residing in, or have recently resided in, the premises or who are a household-like contact; and
any other information or documents required by a public health officer.
PART 5 – EXEMPTIONS
The Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer or their delegate may, having regard to the need to limit the spread of COVID-19, grant an exemption from all or part of this direction to an individual or class of individuals if other extreme exceptional circumstances exist.
An exemption may be given on conditions and if so, the person given the exemption must comply with the conditions.
PART 6 – OTHER MATTERS
An emergency officer (public health) may review a quarantine direction given under this or another public health direction and, if satisfied it is appropriate, vary or revoke the notice given to the diagnosed person or close contact and must notify the diagnosed person or close contact.
A person who was subject to quarantine under the Isolation of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.5) is now subject to the requirements of this Direction.
PART 7 - PENALTIES
A person to whom the direction applies commits an offence if the person fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the direction.
Section 362D of the Public Health Act 2005 provides:
Failure to comply with public health directions
- A person to whom a public health direction applies must comply with the direction unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
- Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
Dr John Gerrard
Chief Health Officer
28 March 2022
Published on the Queensland Health website at7pm
Schedule 1 - Critical Industries
Critical industries are:
Health– including aged care, disability care and pharmacies;
Emergency services, including police, the Queensland State Emergency Service, maritime rescue, the Coast Guard and the Rural Fire Service, national defence and security
Power and utilities, water and waste management;
Stores in remote locations or communities;
Essential retail (including supermarket workers such as night fill staff) and service stations;
Freight and Logistics, including freight transported by air, rail, road or sea;
Public Transport;
Education– primary, secondary and kindergarten school teachers
Agriculture and Fisheries production;
Resources;
Major manufacturing, distribution and critical supply chains (including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and petrol);
Telecommunications, data, broadcasting and media services
Schedule 2 - Definitions
For the purposes of this Public Health Direction:
Acute respiratory symptoms include fever, sore throat, runny nose and a productive cough. Some people with COVID-19 experience ongoing symptoms including mild fatigue, mild dry cough or loss of taste or smell which are not acute respiratory symptoms.
Cleared case of COVID-19 means a person who has been a diagnosed person and has ended their isolation period within the previous 12 weeks.
Note: a cleared case of COVID-19 does not become a close contact of another person within the same household if that person becomes a diagnosed person where the conditions in paragraph 15 are met.
Close contact means a person who is a household member at the time the diagnosed person undertakes the COVID-19 test that produces a positive test result, or a household-like contact of a diagnosed person.
Note: a minor who is a household member of a diagnosed person is a close contact and is required to quarantine and follow the quarantine conditions in this Public Health Direction. A minor who is a close contact, and whose parent is a close contact requested to perform a critically essential role, is not permitted to leave quarantine to attend childcare, kindergarten or school, or for other child care arrangements involving people outside the household.
Contactless means a transaction that occurs without any physical contact or interaction between the parties, including the hire, payment and collection of a hire vehicle, which can be completed without any physical contact or interaction between the car hire company and the hirer or close contact.
Corrective services facility means a facility listed in Schedule 4 of the Corrective Services Act 2006, specifically:
a prison
a community corrections centre
a work camp
a temporary corrective services facility declared under section 268(2)
COVID-19 PCR test means for a person who is:
12 months of age or over, an oropharyngeal and deep nasal swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether a person has the COVID-19 virus; or
under 12 months of age, a saliva swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether a person has the COVID-19 virus.
COVID-19 test means tested for COVID-19 either with a COVID-19 PCR test or with a Rapid Antigen Test.
COVID-19 vaccine means a COVID-19 vaccine approved or recognised for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Critically essential role means a role identified as satisfying the requirements of paragraph 26, by an employer in a critical industry.
Critically Essential Role List means the list of critically essential roles identified as satisfying the requirements of paragraph 26, by an employer in a critical industry
Note: The list includes a brief description of the roles but is not a list of named individuals.
Critical industry means an industry critical for the safety (physical, social and economic) of the Queensland community and that is listed in Schedule 1
Critical Worker List means a list of named individuals who are close contacts who have worked during quarantine under the provisions of Part 3 of the Direction.
Note: The list is held by the employer and is not submitted to Queensland Health.
Critical workforce management means a critical workforce has been significantly impacted by diagnosed cases and/or close contacts within the workforce and requires critical support to provide essential services for the community.
Diagnosed person means an individual who has received a positive COVID-19 test result, or who has been otherwise informed that they have been diagnosed as having COVID-19 but does not include a person who is a cleared case of COVID-19.
Note: a person who has previously been a cleared case of COVID-19 but more than 12 weeks has passed since the person ended isolation and the person has a new case of COVID-19 is a diagnosed person for the most recent case of COVID-19.
Example: a person was diagnosed with COVID-19 in early 2021 and ended isolation 7 days after their positive COVID-19 test result. In January 2022, the person is diagnosed as having COVID-19 again and is required to isolate again. When their isolation ends, the person is a cleared case of COVID-19 in relation to their most recent infection.
Emergency officer (public health) means an emergency officer appointed under the Public Health Act 2005
Note: emergency officers appointed under the Public Health Act are public health officers and police.
Emergency services responder means:
a member of the Queensland Police Service, National Security, Border Patrol or the Australian Defence Force who, in the performance of official duties, is responding to an emergency, providing an emergency service, undertaking a time critical legislated regulatory or compliance function;
a member of the Queensland Ambulance Service, an officer of St John Ambulance Australia, or aeromedical services crew, such as RACQ Lifeflight crew, Royal Flying Doctor Service or CareFlight who, in the performance of official duties, is responding to an emergency, providing an emergency service;
a member of the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Services and Fire and Rescue Service personnel who, in the performance of official duties, is responding to an emergency, providing an emergency service, undertaking a time critical legislated regulatory or compliance function;
a disaster management responder who, in the performance of official duties, is responding to an emergency, providing an emergency service; or
a union official responding to an emergent need.
Endorsed transport provider means the person, business or entity that owns, controls or operates a transport service endorsed by a Queensland government department or agency and with a Transport Plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.
Note: Information about endorsed transport operators and Transport Plans is available here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/covid-19-testing-for-quarantine-facility-workers/endorsed-transport-providers.
Face mask means a flat surgical mask, P2/N95 mask or a cloth face mask with three layers that covers the nose and mouth (but does not include a face shield).
Note: a scarf or bandana is not a face mask.
Fever means a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or greater.
Home means the place where the diagnosed person ordinarily resides.
Hospital means:
a hospital, as defined in schedule 2 to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011; or
a private health facility, as defined in section 8 of the Private Health Facilities Act 1999; or
a multi-purpose service, as defined in section 104 of the Subsidy Principles 2014 made under section 96-1 of the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth).
Hospital and Health Service means a hospital and health service as defined in Schedule 2 of the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011.
Household means, except in exceptional circumstances determined by the Chief Health Officer or delegate, persons who ordinarily reside at the same premises or place of accommodation and who are residing at the premises or place of accommodation at the relevant time for determining quarantine or another purpose under this direction.
Example: Members of a family that live in the same house are a household. A group of unrelated people that share a house is a household. A person who is away from the house at the time the positive test result is received but who ordinarily resides at the house and was present when the test was undertaken will still be a close contact of a diagnosed person within the household.
Household-like contact means, except in exceptional circumstances determined by the Chief Health Officer, a person who has spent more than four hours with the diagnosed person in a house or other place of accommodation, such as a residential aged care facility, disability accommodation, hospital or similar setting, unless the person has been in a separate part of the house, place of accommodation, that has a separate point of entry, no shared common areas, where the person does not share that area for more than four hours, and the person has no contact or interaction with the diagnosed person for more than four hours.
Example: a person in a self-contained unit with a separate point of entry and access to shared common areas for less than four hours is not a household-like contact of a diagnosed person in another unit within a larger place of accommodation, such as a unit in mining camp accommodation.
Informed means given oral or written notice, irrespective of whether that oral or written notice is correct, or becomes aware by other ways than oral or written notice.
Example: a public health officer, a pathology lab, or another company contracted to contact cases may inform a person of their positive COVID-19 PCR test result by SMS, email or telephone call, or a person may become aware of a positive test result by undertaking a Rapid Antigen Test that shows a positive test result, or, for a close contact, being advised by a diagnosed person.
Isolate means to follow the requirements set out in paragraphs 7 to 10.
Isolation refers to separating a diagnosed person with a contagious disease (such as COVID-19) from a population without that disease and in this Direction means to follow the requirements set out in paragraphs 7 to 10.
Minor means a person under the age of 18 years of age.
Nominated premises means other premises, including government nominated accommodation as directed by an emergency officer (public health)
Place of accommodation means any accommodation, including temporary accommodation where the person is residing or staying, including for a holiday, when they become a diagnosed person or close contact.
Premises has the same meaning as in Schedule 2 of the Public Health Act 2005 including a home, place of accommodation or other suitable premises and nominated premises referred to in paragraph 7, but excludes vehicles, and for premises that are a hospital, means the person’s allocated room or ward within the hospital.
Private transport means:
a private vehicle operated by the diagnosed person or by a person who is a close contact; or, for a close contact, a person who is a household member; or
Example: a diagnosed person may drive themselves in their own car or be transported in a car driven by a close contact. A close contact who is a minor may be transported in a car driven by an older sibling who is a household member but who is neither a diagnosed person nor a close contact.
if practical, by foot or via privately-owned bicycle, scooter or other personal mobility device, if the person is within 5 km from the premises and wears a face mask.
Note: devices may be motorised or non-motorised, but must be privately owned i.e., travel is not permitted on any personal mobility devices hired through a shared-fleet scheme such as e-scooter or e-bike sharing schemes, council bike docking schemes etc.
Public health officer means an emergency officer or a contact tracing officer.
Quarantine means to follow the requirements set out in paragraphs 14 to 22, to restrict the movement of a person exposed to COVID-19 until it can be determined whether the person has contracted COVID-19.
Rapid Antigen Test means a rapid antigen test approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for Use in Australia; where a Rapid Antigen Test is required or approved for use under this Direction, a COVID-19 Test may be used where a Rapid Antigen Test is not available.
Note: information about Rapid Antigen Tests can be found on the TGA website
Residential aged care facility means a facility at which accommodation, and personal care or nursing care or both, are provided to a person in respect of whom a residential care subsidy or a flexible care subsidy is payable under the Aged Care Act 1997 of the Commonwealth, or funding is provided under the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.
Shared disability accommodation service means a service, including the forensic disability service under the Forensic Disability Act 2011, where:
four or more people with disability reside with people who are not members of their family; and
the residents share enclosed common living areas within the facility whether inside or outside, and
the residents are provided with disability supports within the facility.
Suitable accommodation means a separate or self-contained place of accommodation, including a unit or self-contained room with a separate point of entry, where a close contact can comply with the quarantine requirements in paragraphs 15 to 23.
Surgical mask means a single use surgical mask with a minimum level 1 barrier protection level under the Australian Standard (AS 4381:2015) that covers the nose and mouth.
Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 means fever or history of fever, symptoms of acute respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), headache, loss of smell, loss of taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.
Up-to-date vaccination status means the person has received the required number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at the correct dose interval recommended for the person to be considered by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), to be up-to-date and not overdue for a dose of COVID-19 vaccine according to the person’s age and other factors.
Example: A person who is 16 years and over, who does not have severe immunocompromise will be considered to have an up-to-date vaccination status when they have had primary doses 1 and 2 and a booster dose from 3 months, and within 6 months, after their last primary dose. For more information, refer to the COVID-19 vaccination schedules to be considered up-to-date.
Vulnerable and high risk settings mean, for the purposes of this public health direction, the following places where there is high risk of an outbreak of COVID-19 and/or people are vulnerable to severe disease from COVID-19:
healthcare facility – hospital or general practitioner surgery;
residential aged care facility;
shared disability accommodation service;
corrective services facility.