From 1 January 2022, there will be changes to what you need to do if your business comes into contact with a COVID-19 case.

The information about the changes (including contact definitions) is available HERE

Many variables may impact the process:

In the event of a COVID-positive case, each venue attended by that person is assessed based on multiple factors, including but not limited to:

  • the infectivity of the case
  • the spatial layout of the venue/business/workplace
  • movements of the case throughout the venue/business/workplace
  • time and nature of the contact of the case with other people at the venue/business/workplace
  • if PPE was worn and the type of PPE worn by the case, staff and patrons.
  • the number and pattern of Covid-19 cases in the surrounding community as well as the demographics of the surrounding community.

Business owners can take reasonable steps to contain the spread soon as they become aware that a COVID-19 positive person has attended the business and while awaiting a formal assessment by the local Queensland Health Public Health Unit. These are outlined under ‘Procedures’ HERE

 

Current Procedure

Casual contacts

  • get a COVID-19 PCR test immediately, and
  • home quarantine until receiving a negative test result.

Close contact

  • quarantine for 14 days from the day they were in contact with a confirmed case.

Businesses

  • businesses may have to close for deep cleaning, and some staff may need to quarantine. Once that cleaning is complete they are able to re-open.

From 1 January 2022:

Low risk casual contact

  • no quarantine or testing requirements.

Casual contacts

  • get a COVID-19 PCR test immediately, and
  • home quarantine until receiving a negative test result.
  • Casual contacts are also encouraged to wear a mask, when outside their home, for 14 days following exposure.

Vaccinated close contact

  • quarantine for 7 days
  • get a COVID-19 PCR test immediately, and on day 5.
  • If the day 5 test is negative, the contact may leave home quarantine on day 8, but must observe some additional precautionary measures until day 14 including:
  • wearing a mask, when outside their home
  • not visiting high-risk settings, such as hospitals, residential aged care, disability care accommodation and correctional facilities.

Unvaccinated close contact

  • quarantine for 14 days
  • get a COVID-19 PCR test immediately, and on day 5 and day 12.
  • If the day 12 test is negative, the contact may leave home quarantine after completing their 14 days.

Businesses

  • businesses listed as exposure sites are extremely unlikely to be closed when a positive case is detected. Routine cleaning overnight will need to occur.