14 October 2022

From today (Friday 14 October) isolation is no longer mandatory for people who test positive to COVID-19.

It is strongly recommended that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, including runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, should stay at home and still get tested for COVID-19.

Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the ACT was in a strong position to continue responding to COVID-19 through this stepped-down approach.

'The ACT is highly vaccinated against COVID-19, and we have good access to treatments, which both provide protection against becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital due to COVID-19,' Minister Stephen-Smith said.

'These new COVID-19 settings are part of a staged approach to managing COVID-19 in a similar way to other infectious diseases.

'Some public health measures will remain to help ensure we continue to protect those in our community who are most at risk of severe health outcomes from COVID-19.

'We should all continue to play our part in protecting those in the community who are at risk of severe illness, including staying at home while unwell, even if you test negative for COVID-19'.

Changes that came into effect today include:

  • It is no longer mandatory to isolate if someone tests positive to COVID-19, but they should still stay at home and take steps to protect those around them.
  • There are no restrictions for household contacts. However, as these people are at higher risk of getting COVID-19, ACT recommends that contacts:
    • monitor closely for symptoms
    • wear a mask on public transport and in indoor spaces that are not their own home
    • test regularly using a rapid antigen test (RAT), and
    • avoid entering high-risk settings including aged care, hospitals or disability care facilities.

Ongoing public health measures include:

  • Canberrans must continue to report positive rapid antigen tests (RATs) to ACT Health as soon as possible.
  • It will also remain a requirement for face masks to be worn by people 12 years and over when attending a high-risk setting.

'Canberrans should be reassured that if there is any significant development in relation to COVID-19, we will continue to take appropriate actions to keep our community safe, just as we have throughout the pandemic.

'I also continue to remind all Canberrans about the importance of practising COVID Smart behaviours. Everyone can play their part to reduce the risk of spreading illnesses to others'.

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