COVID isolation rules to be scrapped for close contacts

People who are close contacts of a COVID-19 case will no longer be forced to isolate, provided they follow NSW Health Guidelines.

From 6pm on Friday 22 April, close contacts (defined as a household contact or an individual deemed by NSW Health to be a close contact) will not have to isolate, as long as they have no symptoms and comply with the following guidelines: 

• Do not visit aged care, hospitals, disability, and correctional facilities unless a special exemption applies;
• Wear a face mask in indoor settings outside the home; 
• Undertake daily RAT tests before coming into close contact with people outside their household, where practicable;
• Avoid contact with elderly and immunocompromised persons where possible;
• Work from home where practical;
• Notify their employer/educational facility that they are a close contact, and that they are not required to isolate as long as they comply with the above.

Close contacts will need to comply with the above guidelines for 7 days from the time a person in their household tested positive for COVID-19.

Public health orders requiring key workforces to be vaccinated will also be lifted, with vaccine requirements to be based on risk assessments under occupational work health and safety, in line with other jurisdictions. Consultation on these requirements will take place with relevant stakeholders, with details to be finalised in coming weeks.

Orders requiring aged care and disability workers to be vaccinated will remain in force.

There are no changes for positive cases: the seven-day isolation requirement remains in place for anyone who has recorded a positive RAT or PCR result. 

These changes will mean the critical worker exemptions from isolation rules will no longer be required. However, close contacts will still need to comply with any COVID-19 safety measures that have been put in place in their workplace by employers.

From 30 April 2022, unvaccinated international returning travellers will not be required to undertake hotel quarantine. The current requirements for fully vaccinated travellers, including taking a Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours of arrival and complying with the NSW Health guidelines, will be extended to unvaccinated travellers.

Public transport capacity caps will also be lifted with the requirement to wear masks on public transport, planes, and indoors at airports and cruise terminals to remain in place.