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.