General News
10 October, 2022
Isolation no longer required for positive COVID-19 cases
Victorians will no longer be required to isolate when they test positive to COVID-19 from this Thursday, the State Government has announced. The changes will come into effect from 11.59 pm Wednesday (October 12) when the pandemic declaration will...
Victorians will no longer be required to isolate when they test positive to COVID-19 from this Thursday, the State Government has announced.
The changes will come into effect from 11.59 pm Wednesday (October 12) when the pandemic declaration will end.
Victorians will no longer need to isolate when they test positive, however it is strongly recommended.
The decision to end mandatory isolation periods was unanimously agreed to at a meeting of National Cabinet.
“Victorians have done an amazing job over the last three years — and this new framework will give people the choice to do what is right for them and their community following the unanimous decision taken at National Cabinet,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“We’re making sure there are still requirements in place to protect our dedicated healthcare workers and vulnerable Victorians in high-risk settings like aged care, disability settings and hospitals.”
It is strongly recommended close contacts of positive cases should continually take rapid antigen tests. Wearing face masks indoors is also strongly recommended.
Financial support will continue for eligible healthcare workers including hospital, aged care and disability care, and those providing in-home care, to support workers to isolate if they test positive, protecting their patients.
The Department of Health will put in place Secretary Directions to ensure there is no disruption to vaccination requirements in health service settings
These directions — which are already used each year to require healthcare staff to be vaccinated against the flu — will allow for vaccination requirements in public, denominational and private hospitals, as well as public sector aged care facilities, day procedure centres and throughout ambulance service.
Every Victorian business or organisation with on-site operations must still keep a COVIDSafe Plan at their workplace and workplaces should regularly review and update their plan.