Superseded - Self-isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 Direction

Summary

The following directive applies to people diagnosed with novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it explains the steps they must take to self-isolate and limit the spread of the virus.

Under this direction, if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 at home, you must stay there until cleared from self-isolation.

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 outside your home, you must return directly home or to your hotel. If you are in hospital for medical treatment, once discharged you must directly travel home or to your hotel. You cannot leave your home, hotel room or provided accommodation until you are cleared from self-isolation.

Further details on self-isolation requirements can be read below and on the Australian Government website.

For further information, visit the Queensland Government website which information on self-quarantine, including what support is available.

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 19 May 2020 and may be further extended.

Further to this declaration, l, Dr Jeannette Young, 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.

Citation

1. This Public Health Direction may be referred to as the Self-isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 Direction.

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

2. The purpose of this Part is to require persons diagnosed with COVID-19 to self-isolate in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
3. These directions apply from 11:59pm on Friday 27 March 2020 until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless they are revoked or replaced.
4. A person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 in Queensland:
   1. if the diagnosis is communicated to the person in a place other than where the person resides, must:
      1. travel directly from that place to a premises that is suitable for the person to reside in and reside in that premises until clearance from self-isolation is given under clause 5; or
      2. travel directly to, or remain at, a hospital for medical treatment, and following treatment and discharge from the hospital, travel directly to a premises that is suitable for the person to reside in and reside in that premises until clearance from self-isolation is given under clause 5; and
   2. any travel under clause 4(a) must be by:
      1. private vehicle; or
      2. taxi or ride share with the person wearing a protective mask; and
   3. if the diagnosis is communicated to the person in suitable premises where the person resides, must reside in that premises beginning on the day of the diagnosis and ending when clearance from self-isolation is given under clause 5; and
   4. must not leave the premises, except:
      1. for the purposes of obtaining essential medical care or medical supplies; or
      2. in the event of an emergency situation; and
   5. must not permit any other person to enter the premises unless that other person usually lives at the premises or is living at the premises for the purpose of self-isolation, or for medical or emergency purposes.
5. A person subject to clause 4 is given clearance from self-isolation at the earlier of:
   1. 14 days after diagnosis;
   2. if a registered nurse or a medical practitioner from a treating Hospital and Health Service (as defined under the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld)) certifies that the person has met the ‘release from isolation’ criteria, including where applicable, the criteria for healthcare workers and workers in aged care facilities, as outlined in the ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units’, as amended from time to time, available at https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cdna-song-novel-coronavirus.htm.
6. Certification under clause 5(b) must be in writing but is not required to be in a particular form.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Public Health Direction:

7. Premises has the same meaning as in Schedule 2 of the Public Health Act 2005, but excludes vehicles.

PART 2 – 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 Jeannette Young
Chief Health Officer

27 March 2020

Published on the Queensland Health website at 27 March 2020, 07:49pm