Superseded - Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No. 22)

This direction has been superseded on 28 April 2022. See the current Requirements for International Arrivals Direction.

Summary

Effective from: 12.30pm AEST 1 March 2022

Posted: 1 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Superseded on: 28 April 2022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 26 March 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 direction 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.

Guidance

A person entering Queensland under this Direction must comply with any relevant requirements of other Public Health Directions while the person is in Queensland.

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.

Nothing in this Direction obviates or overrides the Australian Government’s requirements and restrictions for entry to Australia.

Preamble

  1. 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with other Public Health Directions issued under section 362B of the Public Health Act 2005 that have not expired or been revoked.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 Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No. 22).

Revocation

  1. This Public Health direction revokes and replaces the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No. 21) made on 28 January 2022 from the time of publication of this direction.

Commencement

  1. This Public Health Direction applies from the time of publishing until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless revoked or amended.

PART 1 — DIRECTION – Quarantine for international arrivals

  1. This Direction applies to a person who arrives in Queensland and who has been in a place outside Australia in the 14 days immediately before their arrival.

  2. A fully vaccinated international arrival is required to undertake a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival to Queensland and:

    1. quarantine at their residence, accommodation or boat, leaving only if necessary to obtain a COVID-19 test at an approved Queensland Government COVID-19 Testing Centre, until a negative result is received; and

      Note: accommodation may include a hotel or motel room, cabin or holiday rental. Until a negative test result is received, fully vaccinated international arrivals must stay away from others.

    2. travel directly to the residence, accommodation or boat or using a private vehicle, hire car, taxi, endorsed transport provider or ride share, without stopping other than to obtain a COVID-19 test at an approved Queensland Government COVID-19 Testing Centre; and

    3. the COVID-19 test must be a COVID-19 PCR test if the fully vaccinated international arrival:

      1. has recovered from COVID-19 within the 30 days immediately before arrival; or

      2. has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 on arrival; or

      3. the country of departure is exempt from Commonwealth pre-departure testing requirements for entry to Australia.

    3. Note: a fully vaccinated international arrival must not use public transport to travel to the residence, accommodation or boat unless a COVID-19 test has been undertaken and returned a negative result.

    Note: A fully vaccinated international arrival is permitted to travel to a Queensland Government COVID-19 Testing Centre for the purposes of undertaking a COVID-19 test.

    Note: a fully vaccinated international arrival who receives a negative test result need not continue to quarantine, but a person who becomes a confirmed case of COVID-19 must continue to isolate as per the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.5).

    Note: Further information on the countries exempt from pre-departure testing for inbound international travel is available at: https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/international-travel/inbound

    Note: The Australian Government may have eligibility requirements to enter Australia. Further information on the Australian Government’s requirements are available at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/vaccinated-travellers

  3. A fully vaccinated international arrival who enters Queensland from a place outside of Australia, and transfers from the international terminal to the domestic terminal, which is within the confines of the airport, for the purposes of on-ward travel within Queensland is required to undertake a COVID-19 test in accordance with paragraph 6 on arrival at their final destination.

    Example: A fully vaccinated international arrival, who arrives from Singapore on a direct flight to Brisbane and transfers directly (without leaving the confines of the airport) to an intrastate flight to Townsville, will be required to undertake a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arriving in Townsville.

  4. A fully vaccinated international arrival, who enters Queensland from a place outside of Australia is not permitted to enter a vulnerable or high-risk setting during the 14 days after arriving in Queensland, unless the person:

    1. is a worker in a vulnerable or high-risk setting; and

    2. is fully vaccinated and, where required, is up to date with their vaccinations; and

    3. has no symptoms consistent with COVID-19; and

    4. undertakes a COVID-19 test and receives a negative test result before commencing duties and every second day thereafter until 7 days have passed from arrival into Queensland; and

    5. the worker uses personal protective equipment as required by the responsible person for the vulnerable or high-risk setting until 14 days have passed from arrival into Queensland; and

    6. the responsible person agrees to the worker returning to the vulnerable or high risk setting, and to the extent of any inconsistency with another public health direction, this provision prevails to allow the worker to enter the vulnerable or high risk setting for the performance of their official duties.

    5. Note: If a worker commences duties on day 4 of 14 of the period, the worker is only required to continue to undertake a COVID-19 test until day 7.

    Note: A worker is not required to provide the responsible person for the vulnerable or high-risk setting of a negative COVID-19 test result but if they become a diagnosed case must advise the responsible person that they are isolating. A diagnosed case who is a fully vaccinated international arrival is not permitted to enter a vulnerable or high risk setting as a worker under this public health direction.

    Note: a worker includes an officer of the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Service or Queensland Ambulance Service who enters a vulnerable or high risk setting in the performance of official duties.

  5. Despite paragraph 6, a fully vaccinated international arrival who undertook a COVID-19 test in another State or Territory within 24 hours of arrival in Australia and received a negative test result, does not have to undertake a COVID -19 test within 24 hours of arrival in Queensland.

  6. Despite paragraph 6, a fully vaccinated international arrival who enters Queensland from a place outside Australia, and transfers from an international terminal to a domestic terminal, which is within the confines of the airport, for the purpose of domestic on-travel to another state or territory, is not required to undertake a COVID-19 test in Queensland but must comply with entry testing requirements in the state or territory to which they travel.

  7. A fully vaccinated international arrival must transfer from an international terminal to a domestic terminal, which is within the confines of the airport, by endorsed transport provider, taxi, ride share or an airport terminal transfer shuttle bus for the purposes of on-travel within Queensland or another state or territory.

  8. An international arrival who is unvaccinated is required to quarantine in government-nominated accommodation upon entry to Queensland for a period of 14 days commencing on the date of their arrival to Queensland, unless the person:

    1. transfers directly to another international flight to leave Australia without leaving the confines of the airport; or

    2. transfers directly to another boat to leave Australia without leaving the port; or

    3. quarantines in government-nominated accommodation until the time of their international flight or the boat leaves Australia; or

    4. is a maritime crew member entering Queensland who is not required to quarantine under the Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer; or

    5. has been at sea for 14 days or more; or

    6. is a consular employee.

    9. Note: Requirements for air crew are in the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew Direction (No. 3) or its successors.

  9. Despite paragraph 12, an international arrival who is an unvaccinated unaccompanied minor or is an unvaccinated minor who is accompanied by a fully vaccinated international arrival, may undertake home quarantine for 14 days at a private residence or accommodation.

    Note: An unvaccinated minor is a person aged 16 or 17 year of age who is not fully vaccinated. A minor who is under 16 years of age is not required to quarantine as they are considered fully vaccinated (refer to the definition of fully vaccinated).

  10. A minor mentioned in paragraph 13 must not attend school or a vulnerable and high risk setting during the 14 day quarantine period and must undertake a COVID-19 test:

    1. on Day 0-1 and Day 12 of the quarantine period; and

    2. if the minor displays symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

  11. Despite paragraph 12, an unvaccinated international arrival who has been at sea need only quarantine at government nominated accommodation or onboard a boat for the number of days that will bring the total combined days at sea and in quarantine to 14 days.

    12. Note: If someone is ill or there is a suspected COVID-19 case on the boat, time aboard the boat travelling to Queensland does not count towards the 14 day quarantine period.

    Example: an unvaccinated passenger of a boat who was at sea for 5 days must quarantine either on board the boat or at government nominated accommodation for 9 days if all passengers and crew members of the boat did not display symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

    Example: an unvaccinated crew member of a boat was at sea for 16 days and all crew and passengers of the boat were healthy and displayed no symptoms consistent with COVID-19. On arrival in Queensland, the crew member did not need to quarantine.

  12. An unvaccinated international arrival required to quarantine at government nominated accommodation must only enter Queensland by air at Brisbane International Airport.

  13. An unvaccinated international arrival required to quarantine at government nominated accommodation, must after completing immigration, customs and any other requirements:

    1. travel by an endorsed transport provider or in the manner instructed by an emergency officer (public health) from their port of disembarkation to the government nominated accommodation by the most direct practical route and means; and

    2. comply with the quarantine requirements in Part 2.

PART 2 – QUARANTINE AT GOVERNMENT NOMINATED ACCOMMODATION

  1. This Part applies to unvaccinated international arrivals who are required to quarantine at government nominated accommodation.

  2. A person mentioned in paragraph 18 must not leave the nominated premises for the 14 day quarantine period, commencing on the date of their arrival to Queensland, except:

    1. for the purposes of obtaining essential medical care at a hospital; or

    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

    4. for a person transiting through Queensland in accordance with paragraph 12(c), to leave Australia on an international flight; or

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

  3. A person mentioned in paragraph 18 must not open the door to the nominated premises, except when:

    1. leaving the nominated premises for a permitted purpose under paragraph 19; or

    2. allowing a person to enter the nominated premises for a permitted purpose under paragraph 19; or

    3. permitted by a quarantine facility worker to collect any food, laundry, medical supplies or other items left at the door of their nominated premises; or

    4. permitted by an emergency officer (public health) to be tested for COVID-19; or

    5. permitted by a quarantine facility worker to place any laundry, rubbish or other items directly outside the door of their nominated premises for collection; and

  4. A person mentioned in paragraph 18 must not:

    1. physically interact with other guests from another nominated premises on a balcony of the nominated premises; or

      Note: a quarantined person should maintain physical distancing from other guests on other balconies at government-nominated accommodation

    2. accept or exchange items with other guests between balconies at government-nominated accommodation; or

    3. enter any balcony other than a balcony of the person’s nominated premises.

  5. A person mentioned in paragraph 18 must wear a surgical mask:

    1. whenever directed to do so by an emergency officer (public health); or

    2. whenever leaving and returning to the nominated premises during quarantine as permitted under paragraph 19; or

    3. whenever the door to the nominated premises is open as permitted under paragraph 20.

  6. A person mentioned in paragraph 18 must:

    1. when permitted to leave and return to the nominated premises during quarantine for a purpose permitted under paragraph 19(a), must travel by ambulance; and

    2. travel to and from the nominated premises to commence quarantine or for a purpose permitted under paragraph 19(b) to (e) must be by:

      1. ambulance in an emergency situation; or

      2. an endorsed transport provider; or

      3. an emergency services vehicle in emergency or serious situations as permitted or allowed under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health); or

  7. A person mentioned in paragraph 18 must not permit any other person to enter the nominated premises unless that other person:

    1. resides in the nominated premises for the purpose of complying with this direction; or

    2. is required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health) to perform a COVID-19 test; or

    3. is required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health) in an emergency situation and contact details of the other person are recorded.

      Example: an emergency medical situation where it is not practicable to transport the quarantined person to a hospital.

      Note: A nominated premises includes the balcony of a government-nominated hotel room. A quarantined person must not permit any person to enter their balcony unless they are permitted by paragraph 24.

  8. A person mentioned in paragraph 18 must undertake a COVID-19 PCR test on days 1, 5 and 12 of the person’s quarantine period.

  9. A person mentioned in paragraph 18 must quarantine for a further period of 14 days from the end of the quarantine period if the person is not tested for COVID-19 when requested to do so by an emergency officer (public health), including as soon as possible after arrival at the nominated premises, on days 1, 5 and 12 of the person’s quarantine period.

    Note: a person who is transiting through Queensland in accordance with paragraph 12(c) is not required to be tested on days 1, 5 and 12 if their next international flight is before days 1, 5 and 12.

    Notes: Under sections 362G and 362H of the Public Health Act 2005, an emergency officer (public health) can give a direction to a person to stay at or in a particular place for up to 14 days if the emergency officer believes the direction is reasonably necessary to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

    Chapter 8, part 7AA (Fees for quarantine during COVID-19 emergency) of the Public Health Act 2005 applies to a person required to quarantine and requires a person to pay a fee for quarantine.

  10. Despite subparagraph 22(c) a person may not wear a surgical mask when the door to the nominated premises is open for a purpose listed in paragraph 20 if:

    1. it is not practicable due to the need to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

    2. it is not practicable because of the emergency situation; or

    3. the person is a child under the age of 12 years; or

    4. the person has a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, which makes wearing a surgical mask unsuitable and the person has a medical exemption certificate from a medical practitioner; or

    5. it is permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health).

Maritime crew

  1. A maritime crew member must comply with any relevant protocol for maritime crew approved by the Chief Health Officer.

    Note: Cruise ships are subject to the Restricting cruise ships from entering Queensland waters Direction (No. 2) or its successor and to the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements for Cruise Ships) Amendment (No.1) Determination 2020 (Cth).

    Note: Maritime vessels are subject to any General Manager Maritime Safety Queensland Directions issued under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 which may impose time-based arrival restrictions.

PART 3 – SCREENING AND EVIDENTIARY PROVISIONS

  1. An emergency officer (public health) may require any person subject to this Direction to answer questions or provide evidence about:

    1. whether the person has symptoms consistent with COVID-19; and

    2. whether they have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days; and

    3. whether the person is fully vaccinated for COVID-19, or has evidence of a recognised medical contraindication; and

    4. their name; and

    5. their date of birth; and

    6. their mobile phone number while in Australia; and

    7. their intended address while in Australia; and

    8. their email address; and

    9. the time and date the person departed the international port; and

    10. their flight number; and

    11. their flight seat number; and

    12. the places the person has been in in the 14 days before arriving in Queensland.

  2. A person must not refuse or fail to answer a question or give an answer that is false or misleading in providing information in connection with this Direction.

PART 4 – EXEMPTIONS

  1. The Chief Health Officer, the Deputy Chief Health Officer or their delegate may grant a person an exemption from all or part of these directions on the basis of extreme exceptional circumstances.

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

PART 5 – DEFINITIONS

  1. Definitions used in this Direction are in Schedule 1.

PART 6 – 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 or 6 months imprisonment.

Dr John Gerrard
Chief Health Officer

1 March 2022

Published on the Queensland Health website at 12.30pm.

Schedule 1 - Definitions

At sea means a person has been aboard a boat outside Queensland waters, and the boat does not have any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board.

Note: If there is a suspected case of COVID-19 aboard the boat, time aboard the boat travelling to Queensland does not count as days in quarantine.

Australia means the Commonwealth of Australia and includes the external territories of Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands and Heard and McDonald Islands but excludes the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Australian Defence Force air crew means

  1. an Australian Defence force air crew member performing military tasking in accordance with a lawful order, excluding members ordinarily travelling for posting or leave purposes; or

  2. an off-shift Australian Defence force air crew member travelling as a passenger on an aircraft to reposition at another location to immediately commence military tasking in accordance with a lawful order.

Boat means any sea craft that is not a vessel or a cruise ship that arrives in Queensland from outside Queensland waters.

Note: ‘Boat’ includes Australian Defence Force, or other international defence force sea craft.

Confines of the airport means the terminal or terminals of an airport used for the arrival and departure of aircraft and passengers by air, or the area of an airport that the person uses to transfer directly between terminals.

Example: a person did not leave the confines of the airport if they stay in a passenger terminal until their next flight or transferred directly between terminals to depart on their flight. However, a person leaves the confines of the airport if they go to a hotel in the airport precinct and stay overnight.

Consular employee has the same meaning as the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 (Cth).

Contact details means a person’s full name, date of birth, telephone number for either the person or a parent, guardian or responsible adult for a minor, email address or a parent, guardian or responsible adult for a minor, home address and intended address upon departure from quarantine at government-nominated accommodation.

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.

Note: A COVID-19 PCR test does not include a self-test.

COVID-19 RAT means a Rapid Antigen Test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether the person has the COVID-19 virus.

COVID-19 test means a COVID-19 PCR test or a COVID-19 RAT.

COVID-19 vaccine means a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or endorsed by WHO-COVAX and the vaccine was obtained overseas.

Note: Information about the World Health Organization COVAX program and WHO emergency use listing is available here: WHO COVID-19 vaccines.

Eligible health professional means any of the following:

  • a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth); or

  • a fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth); or

  • a person on Medicare’s Vocation Register of General Practitioners (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth); or

  • a practice registrar on an approved 3GA training placement; or

  • a paediatrician; or

  • a public health physician; or

  • an infectious diseases physician; or

  • a clinical immunologist.

Emergency officer (public health) means an emergency officer appointed under the Public Health Act 2005.

Note: Emergency officers appointed under the Public Health Act 2005 includes environmental health officers and police.

Endorsed transport provider means a person, business or entity that provides a transport service to a person who is required to quarantine and is endorsed by a government authority and has a Transport Plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Note: Information about endorsed transport providers 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.

Evidence of vaccination means an Australian International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate or if vaccinated in another country a certificate that meets the following criteria:

  1. issued by a national or state/provincial-level authority or an accredited vaccination provider; and

  2. written in English or accompanied by a certified translation; and

  3. containing the following information:

    1. name as it appears in the international arrivals passport; and

    2. date of birth or passport number or national identity number; and

    3. the vaccine brand name; and

    4. the date of each dose or the date on which the international arrival received the final dose.

Note: A paper-based or digital certificate that contains the required information may be used.

Evidence of a recognised medical contraindication means there is a COVID-19 vaccine medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register for the person, or an eligible health professional has completed an Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) immunisation medical exemptions form for the COVID-19 vaccine for the person.

Evidence of undertaking a COVID- 19 PCR test means a test result that is in English or is a certified translated copy of COVID- 19 PCR test report in another language, that includes the following information:

  1. the international arrival’s name or passport number

  2. the international arrival’s date of birth or age at time of test

  3. the test result

  4. the test method used

  5. the date of collection for the COVID- 19 PCR test.

Note: A paper-based or digital record that contains the required information may be used.

Fully vaccinated means a person:

  1. has received at least the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and it has been 7 days since the final dose and the person has evidence of vaccination; or

  2. is under 16 years of age; or

  3. is unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine because of a recognised medical contraindication and has evidence of a recognised medical contraindication; or

  4. has a medical certificate or letter from a medical practitioner, certifying that the person is currently taking part in a COVID- 19 vaccine trial and receipt of a Therapeutic Goods Administration approved vaccine would impact the validity of the trial.

Note: The medical certificate or letter from a medical practitioner about the clinical trial will only be valid for a period of time.

Note: Proof of receiving the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine includes a COVID-19 digital certificate, an immunisation history statement (printed or digital) or an international COVID- 19 vaccination certificate.

Government-nominated accommodation means hotel or other accommodation premises at which the person is directed to quarantine by an emergency officer (public health).

Note: A person may be required to pay a fee for quarantine under chapter 8, Part 7AA (Fees for quarantine during COVID-19 emergency) of the Public Health Act 2005.

Home quarantine means that:

  1. the unvaccinated minor must travel directly by private vehicle, taxi, rideshare, endorsed transport provider or hire car (not by public transport) to the private residence or accommodation; and

  2. the minor, when travelling to the private residence or accommodation or leaving the house for a permitted purpose under subparagraph (c), must wear a face mask; and

  3. the minor must not leave the private residence or accommodation for the 14-day quarantine period except for the following permitted purposes:

    1. to obtain essential medical care at a hospital; or

    2. to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

    3. in the event of an emergency situation; or

    4. to obtain or undertake a COVID-19 test; and

  4. the minor and other persons residing at the private residence or accommodation during the quarantine period must not permit any other person to enter the private residence or accommodation unless the other person:

    1. is residing at the private residence or accommodation with the minor during the quarantine period; or

    2. enters to provide emergency, medical or other essential care to a person residing at the private residence or accommodation; or

    3. enters to respond to an emergency situation; or

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

International air crew has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew Direction (No. 3) or its successors.

International arrival means a person who arrives in Queensland by sea or on a flight who, in the 14 days immediately before their arrival to Queensland has been in a place outside Australia, or

  1. arrived in Australia by sea; or

  2. arrived in Australia by air

but excludes international air crew, Queensland based air crew and Australian Defence Force air crew as defined and regulated by the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew Direction (No.3) or its successor.

Isolate or Isolating or isolation has the same meaning as under the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.5) or its successor.

Maritime crew includes anyone required to be part of a crew operating or providing services to support the operation of a vessel, including supernumeraries.

Minor means a person under the age of 18 years.

Nominated premises means a person’s allocated room within government-nominated accommodation as directed by an emergency officer (public health)

Physical distancing includes remaining at least 1.5 metres away from other persons where possible.

Quarantine facility worker means an individual, including an employee, volunteer or contractor who performs a quarantine service at government-nominated accommodation.

Quarantined person means an individual who has been directed to quarantine by an emergency officer (public health) under section 362H of the Public Health Act 2005.

Quarantine service means a service or work of any kind during the course of which a person is physically present at government-nominated accommodation, or a service in relation to government-nominated accommodation, which is identified in the operational protocol for COVID-19 testing of quarantine facility workers approved by the Chief Health Officer including:

  1. health;

    Example: providing medical care to or taking a swab for COVID-19 testing from a quarantined person

  2. personal care;

    Example: assisting a quarantined person with a disability with personal care needs such as showering

  3. security;

    Example: monitoring and directing the movement of a quarantined person within the government-nominated accommodation

  4. cleaning;

    Example: cleaning a guest room at which a quarantined person is residing or has resided including after the quarantined person has departed

  5. any other service identified in the operational protocol for COVID-19 testing of quarantine facility workers2 approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Example: providing check in or check out services for a quarantined person, preparing meals for consumption by staff or guests, maintaining hotel premises, or driving a bus transporting quarantined persons.

Queensland-based air crew has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for Air Crew Direction (No.3) or its successors.

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.

Responsible adult is an adult who has been given written consent by an unaccompanied minor’s parent or legal guardian to complete quarantine with the minor and who has consented to complete the quarantine with the minor.

Responsible person for a vulnerable or high-risk setting means the person legally responsible for employing or engaging workers in a vulnerable or high-risk setting and for facilitating their access to the vulnerable or high-risk setting. The responsible person includes a licensee, operator or chief executive, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider or their delegate in a healthcare setting, and does not include a support co-ordinator, NDIS plan manager, or a self-managing NDIS participant, where the self-managing NDIS participant does not directly employ a worker in healthcare.

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.

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), loss of smell, headache, loss of taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.

Unaccompanied minor means is a person under 18 years of age who is not in the presence of a responsible adult.

Unvaccinated means a person is not fully vaccinated.

Up-to-date vaccination status means either:

  • Prior to 31 March 2022, a person who is fully vaccinated; or

  • From 31 March 2022 a person who is 16 years or older who has received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose from 3 to 6 months after being fully vaccinated, and continues to receive booster doses within the recommended dosing interval.

Note: A booster can be given safely and effectively at any time after 6 months to become ‘up-to-date’ in the event that the booster has not been received earlier.

Vessel means a commercial vessel, research vessel or government vessel that is in Australian waters and is 50 metres or more in length. It does not include cruise ships, or boats.

Vulnerable or high risk setting means any of the following:

  1. a healthcare facility – a hospital or general practitioner surgery; or

  2. a residential aged care facility;

  3. a shared disability accommodation service; or

  4. an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander discrete community; or

  5. a corrective services facility.

Worker means:

  1. a person employed or engaged, including as a contractor, to perform work or provide services and does not include a volunteer or student who, in connection with an enrolled course of study, is undertaking a placement under the supervision of an employee or contractor at the setting; or

  2. a person who is an officer of the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Service or Queensland Ambulance Service, who enters a vulnerable or high risk setting in the performance of their official duties.

Last updated: 28 April 2022