From today, close contacts of COVID-19 cases will no longer have to quarantine if they are well.
SA Health have released a statement clarifying details around the change, saying “As close contacts are at a much higher risk of developing COVID-19, close contacts will need to follow certain rules following their exposure.”
The statement goes on, as follows:
In the following seven days, close contacts must undertake five Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) with one of those on day seven, wearing masks when leaving the house, notifying employers and educational facilities of their close contact status, getting a PCR test if symptoms develop and not entering healthcare settings such as dental practices or pharmacies unless essential for care or medications.
Close contacts should also work from home where possible and avoid non-essential gatherings and contact with people at risk of severe illness. There has been no change to the existing requirement that they cannot enter a sensitive setting such as an aged care facility for 14 days.
Close contacts that reside in sensitive settings will be required to quarantine away from other vulnerable people within that residential setting for seven days to limit exposure to others. But whilst outside of these settings, these residents follow the general community requirements for close contacts.
South Australians are reminded that receiving all three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, your friends and the wider community, so anyone who is yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or who is eligible for their third dose, should book in now.
Background:
Sensitive settings include:
- A residential aged care facility
- A disability care facility
- A prison, correctional facility, Youth Justice training centre or other place of custody
- A public or private hospital
- Health care services provided in any of the Aboriginal communities listed in Schedule 1 of the Arrivals Direction or any other Aboriginal community controlled health service.
Healthcare settings include:
- Pharmacies
- Pathology collection centres
- General practices
- Dental practices and services
- Medical specialist services and practices
- Mental health services and practices including drug and alcohol services
- Allied health services, including those provided by a counsellor, speech pathologist, sonographer, social worker, rehabilitation counsellor, radiation therapist, radiographer, psychologist, prosthetist/orthotist, podiatrist, physiotherapist, music therapist, osteopath, orthoptist, optometrist, occupational therapist, genetic counsellor, exercise physiologist, dietitian, counsellor, chiropractor, audiologist, art/creative art therapist, or Bowen therapist
- Complementary and alternative therapy services and practices including Chinese medicine practitioners
- Community health services including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
- Reproductive services and sexual health services including termination of pregnancy
- Radiology services including screening services
- Disability and rehabilitation services
For more information visit: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDtesting
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