Superseded - Management of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Close Contacts Direction

This direction has been superseded on 19 May 2022. See the current Management of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Close Contacts Direction (No. 5).

Summary

Effective from: 8pm AEST 6 May 2022

Posted: 6 May 2022

Superseded on: 19 May 2022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.7) 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 maintaining a consistent and best practice approach to the management of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in Queensland and close contacts, appropriate to the current stage of the pandemic.

This Public Health Direction specifies the mandatory and minimum requirements that apply to individuals who have received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and their close contacts. Individuals may choose to adopt greater infection control measures and nothing in this direction prevents an employer, organisation or industry from implementing additional infection control measures through protocols, policies or local guidelines.

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

  1. This Public Health Direction may be referred to as the Management of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Close Contacts Direction.

Revocation

  1. The Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.7) made on 28 April 2022 is revoked and replaced by this Direction from the time of publication.

Commencement

  1. This Direction applies from the time of publication until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless it is revoked or replaced.

Application

  1. This Direction applies to a diagnosed person and to a close contact in Queensland.

PART 1 – DIRECTION –ISOLATION FOR DIAGNOSED CASES OF COVID-19

Isolation Requirements for Diagnosed Persons

  1. Subject to paragraph 6, a diagnosed person must immediately upon being informed of their positive COVID-19 test result travel directly by transport permitted under paragraph 10 to isolate at the isolation premises for a period of 7 full days from the COVID-19 test date, or 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 (the COVID-19 test date). 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.

  2. Despite paragraph 5, a diagnosed person may travel directly to hospital by private transport or by ambulance to seek emergency treatment.

  3. A diagnosed person must as soon as practicable inform each household member and household like contact that the diagnosed person is a confirmed case of COVID-19 and that each household member or household like contact is a close contact.

  4. A diagnosed person must not leave the isolation premises, except:

    1. for the purposes of seeking medical treatment at a hospital, travelling directly by private transport or by ambulance; or

      Example — a person may leave isolation to go to a hospital by ambulance.

    2. 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

    3. in the event of an emergency situation; or

      Example — a person may leave isolation to go to a hospital for emergency medical treatment, or may leave the isolation premises due to an emergency at the premises such as fire or flood.

    4. to attend a birthing suite as a support person to a birthing mother, where the operator of the hospital has approved the person’s attendance; or

    5. as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health).

      Note: a diagnosed person entering a vulnerable or high-risk setting must advise the setting that they are a diagnosed person in isolation, and follow any entry requirements of the setting, preferably before entering the setting.

  5. A diagnosed person must not permit any other person to enter the isolation premises unless that other person:

    1. usually resides at the premises or is residing at the isolation premises for the purpose of isolation; or

    2. enters the premises to provide emergency, medical or other essential care to a person residing in the premises; or

    3. 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.

Transport to be used by Diagnosed Persons

  1. A diagnosed person must only travel under paragraphs 5, 8(b), (c), (d) or (e) by:

    1. private vehicle; or

    2. ambulance service; or

    3. transport arranged by a government authority; or

    4. endorsed transport provider operating in accordance with an endorsed transport plan.

Mask requirements for Diagnosed Persons

  1. A diagnosed person must wear a surgical mask, and follow any additional infection control measures:

    1. when directed to do so by an emergency officer (public health); and

    2. when leaving isolation as permitted under paragraph 8, 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, or where an exception in Part 3 applies.

    Note: if a diagnosed person is evacuated in an emergency situation, they must advise emergency personnel they are a diagnosed person.

    Note: where required or permitted to remove a mask under this Direction, a diagnosed person must first disclose they are a diagnosed person to the person requiring or permitting them to remove the mask.

PART 1A – RELEASE FROM ISOLATION – DIAGNOSED PERSON

Historical infection

  1. A diagnosed person who is in isolation may leave isolation and the requirement to isolate ends when the positive result for the diagnosed person is found to be a historic infection and the person is no longer considered infectious, provided the diagnosed person does not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

End of Isolation

  1. A diagnosed person who is in isolation may leave isolation, and is deemed to be a cleared case of COVID-19, at the earlier of:

    1. 7 full days from the COVID-19 test date, if the person has no fever or acute respiratory symptoms, and sub-paragraph (c) does not apply; 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.

    2. when fever and 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 and acute respiratory symptoms have resolved, may leave isolation. The diagnosed person does not need to have another COVID-19 test before leaving isolation.

    3. at the time provided in the direction, if a direction has been given to the person under section 362H of the Public Health Act 2005.

Early departure from government nominated accommodation

  1. A person isolating in government nominated accommodation, may leave during the seventh day of isolation, only in order to use government arranged transport on the seventh day, provided the person has had no symptoms consistent with COVID-19 for at least 24 hours.

  2. A person who leaves government nominated accommodation before the seventh full day of isolation has ended must, until the end of the isolation period:

    1. wear a surgical mask covering the person’s nose and mouth at all times outside the isolation premises, including outdoors, unless an exception in Part 3 applies; and

    2. remain physically distant from persons other than household members.

PART 1B – POST-ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS– DIAGNOSED PERSON

  1. Subject to the exceptions in Part 3, 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 (the post-isolation period), 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.

  2. Subject to the exceptions in Part 4, a person who has been a diagnosed person, and who has been released from isolation must not enter and remain in a vulnerable or high-risk setting during the post-isolation period.

PART 2 – REQUIREMENTS FOR CLOSE CONTACTS

  1. Subject to the exceptions in Part 3, during the 7 full days from the COVID-19 test date, a close contact must 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.

    Note: the COVID-19 test date is the date the diagnosed person was tested for COVID-19.

  2. Subject to the exceptions in Part 4, during the 7 full days from the COVID-19 test date, a close contact must not enter and remain in a vulnerable or high-risk setting.

  3. A close contact must follow the Guidelines for Close Contacts approved by the Chief Health Officer.

    Note: nothing in this direction prevents an employer, organisation or industry from implementing additional infection control measures through policies, protocols and local guidelines (for example, the Eastern Seaboard Cruise Protocols, guidelines for entry to a vulnerable facility or employer requirements for employees).

  4. A close contact must isolate as a diagnosed person if a positive COVID-19 test result is received at any time.

  5. A person who is a cleared case of COVID-19 who becomes a close contact of a diagnosed person within 12 weeks of ending isolation is exempt from the requirements for a close contact of that diagnosed person.

    Note: a close contact who is a cleared case should follow the Guidelines for Close Contacts approved by the Chief Health Officer.

PART 3 – EXCEPTIONS TO FACE MASK REQUIREMENTS

  1. Despite paragraphs 15, 16 and 18, a requirement in this Direction to wear a face mask or surgical mask does not apply to–

    1. an infant or child under 12 years of age; or

    2. a person, including an infant or child, who has a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, which makes wearing a face mask or surgical mask unsuitable.

    Note: children under 12 years of age are not required, but are encouraged, to wear a face mask where it is safe to do so. Face masks, including surgical masks, are not considered safe for children under two years of age.

  1. A person who is required to wear a face mask or surgical mask under this Direction, may remove the face mask or surgical mask:

    1. if the person is communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing and visibility of the mouth is essential for communication; or

    2. if the nature of a person’s work or education means that clear enunciation or visibility of the mouth is essential; or

      Example – a speech therapist in a hospital or healthcare setting, a train driver or conductor making announcements over a loudspeaker.

    3. if the person is consuming food, drink or medicine; or

    4. if the person is a patient receiving healthcare to the extent that such healthcare requires that no face mask be worn while being provided; or

      Example – while providing healthcare to a patient, a doctor determines that the patient should not wear a face mask while undergoing a particular face-to-face service based on the nature of the service and the impacts on the patient’s health and wellbeing.

    5. where the person is asked to remove the face mask to ascertain the person’s identity; or

    6. where wearing a face mask would create a serious risk to that person’s life or health and safety, including if determined through work Occupational Health and Safety guidelines; or

    7. where the face mask must be removed for emergency purposes; or

    8. where removal of the face mask is required or authorised by law; or

    9. where doing so is not safe in all the circumstances; or

    10. where the person is assisting in, or undertaking, a disaster recovery activity; or

    11. where a higher level of personal protective equipment (PPE) than a face mask or surgical mask, where applicable, is required by a venue, facility or setting.

    Note: a reference to a face mask includes a surgical mask. Where the Direction specifies that a person must wear a surgical mask, a lesser standard of face mask must not be used.

    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.

  1. A person who is permitted to remove the face mask or surgical mask under paragraph 24 must resume wearing a face mask or surgical mask as soon as practicable after the permitted reason for removing the face mask or surgical mask ends.

PART 4 – EXCEPTIONS FOR ENTRY TO VULNERABLE OR HIGH-RISK SETTINGS

Exceptions during the Post Isolation Period and for Close Contacts

  1. Despite paragraphs 17 and 19, a person who is in the post-isolation period or who is a close contact may enter a vulnerable or high-risk setting where the person:

    1. requires medical care at a vulnerable facility; or

    2. is permitted to enter as an employee of the vulnerable or high-risk setting and, where the person is a close contact, meets the conditions in paragraph 27; or

    3. is a resident of the vulnerable or high-risk setting; or

    4. 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; or

    5. is entering a vulnerable or high-risk setting in the performance of an official duty as an emergency services responder provided the person is complying with face mask requirements of this Direction and any additional infection control measures required by their employer or the setting; or

      Note: infection control measures may be provided to emergency services responders in the form of a policy or guideline of the setting, or of the emergency service responder’s employer.

    6. is permitted to enter the vulnerable or high-risk setting under another public health direction.

Close contact workers at a vulnerable facility

  1. Despite paragraph 19, a close contact who is an employee at a vulnerable facility may continue to work at a vulnerable facility where the close contact:

    1. advises the operator of their close contact status; and

    2. remains without symptoms consistent with COVID-19; and

    3. complies with the vaccination requirements that apply to the person as an employee at the vulnerable facility; and

    4. wears a surgical mask or complies with any greater PPE requirements of the vulnerable facility while at work; and

    5. undertakes a COVID-19 test and receives a negative test result on the day of their first shift and every second day thereafter until Day 6.

Exceptional and compassionate circumstances

  1. Despite paragraph 19, a close contact may enter and remain at a vulnerable or high-risk setting as a visitor for an exceptional and compassionate circumstance, where the operator of the vulnerable or high-risk setting agrees, and the close contact:

    1. advises the operator they are a close contact and complies with any additional reasonable requirements of the operator, including only entering parts of the vulnerable or high-risk setting specified by the operator and following visitor guidelines; and

    2. does not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19; and

    3. has undertaken a COVID-19 test within 24 hours before entering the vulnerable or high-risk setting and received a negative test result; and

    4. meets the visitor entry requirements for the vulnerable or high-risk setting; and

    5. wears a surgical mask and complies with any additional PPE requirements of the operator .

    Note: a close contact entering under this exception may be requested to provide proof of their negative COVID-19 test result.

  1. An exceptional and compassionate circumstance includes:

    1. an end-of-life visit; or

    2. visiting a patient, client or resident who is seriously or critically ill; or

    3. a parent visiting their infant that is an inpatient in a special care unit or neonatal intensive care unit; or

    4. attending as a support person for a dependent requiring critical medical treatment; or

    5. an emergency.

    Example: a close contact enters a hospital for an end-of-life visit with a patient with the hospital’s agreement, where the close contact receives a negative result from a RAT before entering the hospital and complies with the face mask requirements under this Direction and additional PPE requirements of the hospital.

    Note: a close contact entering a vulnerable or high-risk setting must advise the setting that they are a close contact, preferably before entering the setting, and must comply with infection control requirements of the setting.

  1. The responsible person must take all reasonable steps to ensure a close contact entering a vulnerable or high risk setting under this Part complies with the conditions of entry to the setting and does not enter or remain within the setting if the person is prohibited from doing so under this Direction.

PART 5 – EXEMPTIONS

  1. 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 exceptional circumstances exist.

  2. An exemption may be given on conditions and if so, the person given the exemption must comply with the conditions.

PART 6 – OTHER MATTERS

  1. An emergency officer (public health) may review an isolation 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 and must notify the diagnosed person.

Transitional Arrangements

  1. A person who was subject to isolation or quarantine under the Isolation of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.7) is now subject to the requirements of this Direction and may end isolation or quarantine where the requirements of this Direction are met, or where there is no longer a requirement to quarantine.

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

6 May 2022

Published on the Queensland Health website at 8:00 pm

SCHEDULE 1 – DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Public Health Direction:

Acute respiratory symptoms include sore throat, runny nose or 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 is exempt from the close contact requirements under this Direction within 12 weeks of ending isolation but should follow the Guidelines for Close Contacts approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Close contact means a person who is a household member or a household-like contact of a diagnosed person on the COVID-19 test date.

Corrective services facility means a facility listed in Schedule 4 of the Corrective Services Act 2006, specifically:

  1. a prison

  2. a community corrections centre

  3. a work camp

  4. a temporary corrective services facility declared under section 268(2)

COVID-19 PCR test means for a person who is:

  1. 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

  2. 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, or for a child under two years of age means a COVID-19 PCR test or a Rapid Antigen Test administered by a health professional.

Note: Where a Rapid Antigen Test is required under this Direction, a COVID-19 PCR test is also acceptable.

Note: Home Rapid Antigen Testing is not recommended for children under two years of age; they can only be tested using a COVID-19 PCR test or a RAT administered by a health professional. A Rapid Antigen Test may be used for children over the age of two.

COVID-19 test date means the date that a diagnosed person undertook the COVID-19 test that provided a positive test result and is Day 0 when calculating the time for isolation or for a requirement to undertake a COVID-19 test..

COVID-19 vaccine means a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Disaster recovery activity means the activities required immediately following a disaster for safety and to secure property, including for example rubbish removal, cleaning, fire, water and electrical safety activities, and emergency repairs.

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 been a cleared case of COVID-19 is a diagnosed person for a new case of COVID-19 if they are infected with the new case of COVID-19 more than 12 weeks since they person ended isolation.

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. The person is in the post-isolation period in the 7 days after their isolation ends.

Educational placement means a placement in a vulnerable or high-risk setting that is undertaken in connection with an enrolled course of study and under the supervision of an employee or contractor at the setting, or as part of a professional development arrangement.

Employee means a person engaged or employed, whether paid or unpaid, to perform work or provide services whether as a contractor, under an employment agreement or under another engagement to perform work, and includes a student undertaking an educational placement or a volunteer.

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:

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. a disaster management responder who, in the performance of official duties, is responding to an emergency, providing an emergency service; or

  5. a union official responding to an emergent need.

Endorsed transport plan means the Transport Plan for the transport service, in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.

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 that has 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 cloth face mask with three layers that covers the nose and mouth, or a surgical mask.

Note: a scarf or bandana is not a face mask.

Fever means a temperature of 37.5 degrees celsius or greater.

Government nominated accommodation has the same meaning as in the Requirements for Workers at Government Nominated Accommodation Direction.

Home means the place where the diagnosed person or close contact ordinarily resides or is residing

Hospital means:

  1. a hospital, as defined in schedule 2 to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011; or

  2. a private health facility, as defined in section 8 of the Private Health Facilities Act 1999; or

  3. 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).

Household member 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 household members. A group of unrelated people that share a house are household members. 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:

  1. the person has been in a separate part of the house or place of accommodation that has a separate point of entry; and

  2. any use of shared or common areas of the house or place of accommodation also used by the diagnosed person has been for a period of less than four hours; and

  3. any contact or interaction with the diagnosed person was for less than four hours duration.

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 a person 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 5 to 15.

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 5 to 15.

Isolation period means the period from the COVID-19 test date until the diagnosed person is released from isolation under paragraph 13.

Isolation premises for a diagnosed person means:

  1. their home, where their home is a safe driving distance from where the diagnosed person is informed of their positive COVID-19 test result; or

  2. their place of accommodation, or other premises at which the diagnosed person can comply with the isolation requirements; or

  3. another nominated premises, including as otherwise directed by an emergency officer (public health); or

  4. a part of any of the premises identified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) where only that part of the premises is used for isolation.

Nominated premises means other premises, including government nominated accommodation as directed by an emergency officer (public health).

Operator means the person who owns, controls or operates a vulnerable or high risk setting.

Physically distant means a distance of at least 1.5 metres away from other persons.

Place of accommodation means any accommodation, including temporary accommodation such as a holiday apartment, hotel, or on a cruise liner or other marine vessel, where the person is residing or staying, including for a holiday, when they become a diagnosed person or close contact.

Post-isolation period means the period of 7 full days from the end of isolation (Days 7 to 14).

PPE means personal protective equipment used to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

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, but excludes vehicles, and for premises that are a hospital, means the person’s allocated room or ward within the hospital.

Private transport means:

  1. a private vehicle operated by the diagnosed person or by a person who is a close contact; or

    Example: a diagnosed person may drive themselves in their own car or be transported in a car driven by a close contact.

  2. 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 refers to the requirements that applied to a close contact under the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.7). Quarantine has the same meaning as applied under that now revoked Direction, which was tofollow the requirements that were set out in paragraphs 21 to 31 of that Direction, 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 PCR 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:

  1. four or more people with disability reside with people who are not members of their family; and

  2. the residents share enclosed common living areas within the facility whether inside or outside, and

  3. the residents are provided with disability supports within the facility.

Student means a student who:

  1. in connection with an enrolled course of study, is undertaking an educational placement; or

  2. is entering the hospital as part of a placement in connection with an enrolled course of study.

Example for paragraph (b): a paramedical student, a student nurse, a student on placement at a shared disability accommodation service.

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.

Vulnerable facility means a:

  1. hospital; or

  2. residential aged care facility; or

  3. shared disability accommodation service.

Vulnerable or high-risk setting means:

  1. a vulnerable facility; or

  2. a corrective services facility.

Volunteer means a person engaged by a vulnerable or high risk setting to provide products or services on a voluntary basis and does not include a volunteer working for an organisation that is independent from the vulnerable or high-risk setting.

Example: a volunteer at a charitable legal advisory service visits aged care residents but is not a volunteer engaged by the residential aged care facility and is not considered a volunteer for the purposes of this public health direction.

Last updated: 19 May 2022