27 November 2021

ACT Health is introducing precautionary measures in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant of concern of COVID-19.

Effective immediately, anyone in the ACT who has been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, and/or Eswatini in the past 14 days must get a COVID-19 PCR test and quarantine immediately. Requirements for these travellers are outlined below.

From 11.59pm tonight, ACT Health will also implement quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated overseas travellers who have not been in these countries. These travellers must quarantine until 11.59pm Tuesday 30 November.

ACT Health is reminding all fully vaccinated travellers arriving from overseas that have recently arrived in the ACT they must follow existing testing requirements for returned travellers and get a test within 24 hours of arrival to Australia and again on day 5-6 after arrival. Entry restrictions to high-risk facilities (including hospitals, correctional and detention facilities, residential aged care facilities and some other residential facilities) also apply.

No cases of the Omicron variant of concern of COVID-19 have been identified in the ACT to date.

Travellers who arrived from overseas prior to 11:59pm on 27 November 2021

Travellers who have recently arrived from overseas, are already in the ACT and have travelled from or spent any time in the countries listed above in the past 14 days:

  • Should have a COVID-19 PCR test as soon as possible. If you have not had your initial test within 24 hours of arrival to Australia, you must get tested.
  • Are required to quarantine at their current residence/accommodation until 14 days have passed since last in the listed country.
  • Are required to complete a Declaration Form (will be available online on the ACT COVID-19 website from morning of Sunday 28 November).
  • Household members must also quarantine with the traveller.

Travellers arriving from overseas on or after 11:59pm on 27 November 2021

International travellers arriving from the countries listed above on or after 11.59pm 27 November:

  • Quarantine at the port of entry to Australia regardless of vaccination status.
  • Travellers need to follow the directions of the port they have arrived in.

International travellers who are fully vaccinated, arriving from countries other than those listed above intending to travel to the ACT:

  • These travellers will need to follow the requirements of the jurisdiction of their port of entry to Australia.
  • If the port of entry allows onward travel to the ACT, travellers will be required to complete a Declaration Form within 24 hours prior to arrival into the ACT. This will be available on the ACT COVID-19 website from the morning of Sunday 28 November.
  • Will be required to quarantine at their ACT residence/accommodation until 11:59pm on Tuesday 30 November 2021.

ACT Health is monitoring this situation closely and will continue to provide updates. Quarantine requirements for returning international travellers will be reviewed on Tuesday 30 November, to determine whether existing quarantine requirements should be extended.

International travellers who are not fully vaccinated

There is no change to requirements for these travellers. They must continue to:

  • Complete a mandatory 14 day quarantine period at port of entry.
  • If travel to the ACT is required for exceptional or compassionate reasons, an exemption will be required to be obtained from ACT Health.
  • Travellers may be required to seek approval from their port of entry to enter the ACT.

These measures align with announcements made by the Commonwealth Government today.