Australia’s new Covid rules explained

OSTN Staff

Nationally, those travelling to Australia from overseas no longer require a negative Covid-19 test prior to arrival, but states have the power to implement a negative testing requirement if they wish to.This week also saw the end of a ban on international cruise ships coming to Australia and a rule preventing rapid antigen testing price gouging.Covid-19 rules differ across the country. See the difference by state and territory below.VICTORIAIn Victoria, while there are no vaccination requirements or capacity limits in place for weddings, funerals or religious ceremonies, vaccination is currently required for entry into hospitality venues, sports grounds, swimming pools and hair dressers, however this lockout is being scrapped on Friday. If you test positive for Covid, you must isolate for seven days from the date you took your positive rapid antigen test or PCR test. You don’t need a test to be released. Currently, household contacts are still required to isolate, however this is also being scrapped from Friday. Instead, household contacts will need to carry out five rapid antigen tests across the seven days. Masks will no longer be required in primary schools either, come Friday. All visitor restrictions in hospitals will be removed, except for mask requirements., There are no limits on travel or accommodation within Victoria.NEW SOUTH WALESIn New South Wales everyone over 12 is still required to wear a face mask in many venues, including on public transport, hospitals or private health facilities, residential care facilities, in the airport or at indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people.However this is expected to change by the weekend, with the mask requirement on public transport the only restriction to remain. Most places are now open to everyone, regardless of vaccination status, so there’s no need to show proof of status. For indoor music festivals with over 1000 people you must be fully vaccinated, as well as any other entertainment facilities, or indoor and outdoor recreation facilities with less than 1000 people in attendance.There are no restrictions at weddings or funerals. If you test positive to Covid-19, you must isolate for seven days. Currently, your household contacts must quarantine too, however this requirement is expected to be scrapped this weekend. Instead, contacts will need to wear a mask indoors when outside their home and take a RAT before mixing with others. Face masks are no longer required at most venues, including gyms and indoor recreation facilities. There are no domestic travel restrictions in NSW. QUEENSLANDThe requirement to check-in and to be fully vaccinated is no longer required for most venues in Queensland. You’ll need vaccination proof in hospitals, disability accommodation services, residential aged care and corrective services facilities though. Venues and activities that no longer have vaccination requirements include pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants; theme parks, casinos and cinemas; weddings; showgrounds; and galleries, libraries, museums and stadiums.Masks are no longer required in most venues either, however they are required when visiting residential aged care, disability accommodation, on public transport, in prisons, detention centres, airports and on planesThey must also be worn in taxis, rideshares and commercial shuttles, including ranks and designated pick-up areas and airports.There is no limit on the number of visitors you can have in your home and venues and events no longer have capacity or density limits. Covid-19 positive people must isolate for seven days, and household contacts must also quarantine. You can enter Queensland from elsewhere in Australia without restrictions.SOUTH AUSTRALIAIn South Australia, masks are no longer required when visiting most places. You’ll still need to wear one when visiting disability care facilities, prisons, public and private hospitals, health care services and pathology collection centres and public transport. Proof of vaccination is required for certain venues, such as health care settings and aged care facilities. There are no longer density limits at homes or businesses. If you test positive for Covid-19 you must isolate for seven days from your positive result, and cannot leave isolation until you no longer have acute symptoms. Close contacts must quarantine for seven days, however people who recently had Covid-19 (within the previous eight weeks) are no longer considered close contacts, and will not have to quarantine or get tested. WESTERN AUSTRALIAThere are no capacity limits for either indoor or outdoor gatherings in WA. There is a two square metre density limit though for some venues, such as licensed hospitality venues, nightclubs, convention and function centres, entertainment venues, galleries and museums, hair dressers, and outdoor events with more than 500 patrons. At major stadiums and entertainment venues there’s a 75 per cent capacity limit, but weddings and funerals are free from any restrictions. Masks are required for people aged eight and over everywhere indoors, other than home, including public transport and rideshare vehicles, hospitals and residential aged or disability care.Proof of vaccination is still required for entry to most venues, with exceptions including takeaway venues, food courts, roadhouses, petrol stations, community sport and school events on school grounds. Travel into WA from interstate and international travel is permitted, with vaccination requirements and a G2G Pass.While testing on arrival is not a requirement, Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will be available for all travellers arriving into WA. If you test positive to Covid-19 both you and your household contacts must isolate for at least 7 days, or until you are no longer symptomatic. NORTHERN TERRITORYYou no longer have to wear a face mask in most indoor settings in the Northern Territory. You’ll still need one to visit hospitals and health care facilities, aged care, disability and correctional facilities.Proof of vaccination has been scrapped at most venues too. There are travel limitations to excluded communities; only community residents or essential workers will be permitted to visit and must have a negative Rapid Antigen Test the day of your travel. Excluded communities are communities that have a vaccination rate of less than 80 per cent for residents aged fives years and over.If you contract Covid-19 you and your household contacts must isolate for at least seven days.TASMANIA Wearing a face mask is mandatory for people aged 12 years and older in high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care facilities, health care and medical facilities, schools, public transport and airports. They’ve been scrapped for indoor and outdoor events though, regardless of the number of people attending, Tasmania still has a household gathering limit of 100 people whether the gathering is indoors or outdoors, and applies to all types of gatherings, including barbecues and celebrations.Smaller indoor seated gatherings at churches, places of worship, memorial events and funeral services may accommodate up to 250 people. There are no vaccination requirements for hospitality venues, however vaccinations are still required for certain employees, such as those working in health care and aged care. There are currently no entry requirements in place for any travellers to Tasmania.AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORYIn the ACT, check in is still required at hospitality venues. There are no limits to the number of visitors to a home, or at informal outdoor gatherings. Face masks remain mandatory on public transport, hospitals, aged care facilities, as well as indoor spaces at school for those aged seven and over. Masks are also required at the airport and on domestic flights into and out of Canberra. There are currently no restrictions on interstate travel to the ACT.If you contract Covid-19 you must isolate for seven days or until you are mostly symptom free. Household contacts must also quarantine.

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