From 1 January 2022, there will be changes to how contact with a COVID-19 case is managed. Requirements will ease for vaccinated people. Queensland close contact
These changes are detailed in the Managing the risk for COVID-19 exposures in businesses and venues plan.
This guidance will help businesses plan and manage situations where COVID-19 positive people have been in their business or venue.
From 1 January 2022 different requirements will come into effect for casual contacts and vaccinated and unvaccinated close contacts.
Close contact requirements from 1 January 2022
LOW RISK CASUAL CONTACT
No quarantine or testing requirements.
CASUAL CONTACTS
Casual contacts will need to
- get a COVID-19 PCR test immediately, and
- home quarantine until receiving a negative test result.
Casual contacts are also encouraged to wear a mask, when outside their home, for 14 days following exposure.
VACCINATED CLOSE CONTACT
Vaccinated close contacts will need to:
- quarantine for 7 days
- get a COVID-19 PCR test immediately, and on day 5.
If the day 5 test is negative, the contact may leave home quarantine on day 8, but must observe some additional precautionary measures until day 14 including:
- wearing a mask, when outside their home
- not visiting high-risk settings, such as hospitals, residential aged care, disability care accommodation and correctional facilities.
Vaccinated people, who live in the same household as the contact do not need to quarantine, but are required to get a COVID-19 PCR test on day 1 and day 5.
Unvaccinated people, who live in the same household as the contact must follow the same quarantine and testing requirements as the contact, unless they can be separated from the contact.
UNVACCINATED CLOSE CONTACT
Unvaccinated close contacts will need to:
- quarantine for 14 days
- get a COVID-19 PCR test immediately, and on day 5 and day 12.
If the day 12 test is negative, the contact may leave home quarantine after completing their 14 days.
Vaccinated people, who live in the same household as the contact, need to quarantine for 7 days and get a COVID-19 PCR test on day 1 and day 5, unless they can be separated from the contact.
If the close contact is 12 years old or under, vaccinated people, who live in the same household as the contact, do not need to quarantine, but are required to get a COVID-19 PCR test on day 1 and day 5.
Unvaccinated people, who live in the same household as the contact must follow the same quarantine and testing requirements as the contact, unless they can be separated from the contact.
Business arrangements from 1 January 2022
From 1 January 2022 businesses or venues listed as exposure sites are extremely unlikely to be closed when a positive case is detected and will be able to undertake routine cleaning to minimise disruption.
For the rest of this year businesses can continue operating as they are now. If your business is confirmed as an exposure venue, you may have to close for cleaning, and some staff may need to quarantine. Once that cleaning is complete the business can re-open. Current requirements are available here.
Businesses can continue to access the COVID-19 cleaning rebate to help cover professional cleaning expenses. Find out more here.
Businesses are encouraged to ensure customers are using the Check In App when entering their premises to assist future contact tracing efforts.