General News
8 September, 2022
COVID self-isolation period reduced to five days
Victorians who test positive to COVID will now only need to self-isolate for five days — providing they don’t have symptoms or work in high-risk settings — the State Government has announced. The change came into effect from 11.59 pm Thursday...
Victorians who test positive to COVID will now only need to self-isolate for five days — providing they don’t have symptoms or work in high-risk settings — the State Government has announced.
The change came into effect from 11.59 pm Thursday night, and also included that face masks are no longer required on domestic flights.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said the changes are a result of the current pandemic situation.
“These changes are a sensible and considered approach to the current pandemic situation and are designed to ensure consistency across the nation,” she said.
“The adjustments are designed to keep Victorians protected, while also helping people safely manage their own risk and allowing them to get on with their lives.”
Positive cases can only leave isolation after five days if they have no symptoms on day five.
Anyone leaving isolation after five days cannot visit or work at a sensitive setting such as hospitals, residential aged care or disability care settings for the next two days, or if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
People who leave isolation after five days are recommended to undertake rapid antigen testing in the days following their isolation and test negative before attending their workplace or other settings of higher risk, and to wear a mask in indoor settings.
Last week the State Government also announced it was lifting work from home restrictions and encouraging workers to return to the office following the end of winter and a drop in COVID cases.
There were only 2102 cases recorded across the state as of the latest figures on Thursday.
In the Central Goldfields Shire, just seven new cases were recorded on Thursday, with 23 active.