News / Events

Announced 25 January 2022:

• A face covering will need to be an actual mask and attached to the head by loops around the ears or head. This means scarves, bandannas, or t-shirts should not be used.
• You will need to wear a mask at food and drink businesses, close-proximity businesses, and events and gatherings. You can take your mask off to eat, drink or exercise.
• Workers who are mandated to be vaccinated will need to wear a medical grade mask when working in public facing roles. For example a Type IIR/Level 2 mask or above.
• Mask use is recommended whenever you leave the house.

These changes will come into force at 11:59pm Thursday 3 February.

3-PHASE STRATEGY FOR MANAGING OMICRON
Announced 26 January 2022, the 3-Phase Strategy sets out the actions Government will be taking in testing, contact tracing, case management, and isolation, in quarantine, here in the community, in response to Omicron in our communities.

Phase One (current state):

• ‘Stamp it out’ approach
• Community PCR testing - testing station or primary health provider 
• Contract tracing as exists
• Isolation periods as exists:
  • Positive Result = Isolate for 14 Days at home (if safe to do so) or in a managed facility
  • Close Contact = Isolate for 10 Days at home (if safe to do so) or in a managed facility

• 'Slow the spread and protect our vulnerable communities'
• Reduce the isolation period in line with best practice overseas:
  • Positive Result = Isolate for 10 Days at home (if safe to do so) or in a managed facility
  • Close Contact = Isolate for 7 Days at home (if safe to do so) or in a managed facility
• Household contacts will actively be managed by contact tracing services, with close contacts requiring a PCR test on day 5.
• Digital technology is used more in this phase. Cases will be notified via text message and be directed to an online self-investigation tool which will focus on high-risk exposures
• Change to current testing requirements for critical workers who are close contacts of cases -  widespread use of the test to return-to-work policy where asymptomatic contacts in critical workforces can return a negative rapid antigen test in order to go to work.
• Testing of symptomatic people and Close Contacts with PCR testing but we will be enabling ‘test to return’ for asymptomatic critical workers who are close contacts of cases using rapid antigen tests (RATs). RATs will be integrated into our testing system at this phase and will work alongside PCR tests

• Cases are in the thousands
• Isolation: The definition of contacts will change to household and household like contacts only. This will mean the highest risk contacts will need to isolate.
• Testing: Supported self-service, rapid antigen testing for diagnosing COVID-19 
• The majority of people will be supported and be able to self-manage and isolate at home; and clinical care will focus on anyone with high needs.
• Digital technologies will continue to be utilised at this phase, and people will be supported to self-notify Close Contacts. There will be continued support for those members of our community who are not digitally enabled.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT:

• Have been officially advised to self-isolate for a period of at least four consecutive days because:
  • hey have COVID-19 or
  • they are a close contact of a person who has COVID-19 or
  • they are the parent or caregiver of a dependant who has been advised to self-isolate or
  • they are in the category of people most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or
  • they have household members in the category of people who are most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
• Does NOT include: close contacts / awaiting test results / casual contacts / refusal to work / additional criteria as indicated.
• The Leave Support Scheme is paid at a flat rate of:
  • $600.00 a week for full-time workers who were working 20 hours or more a week
  • $359 a week for part-time workers who were working less than 20 hours a week.
• The Leave Support Scheme is paid as a weekly payment per employee for a period of at least four consecutive days of self-isolation. If an employee needs to self-isolate for at least 11 calendar days or more, you can apply for a second weekly payment.