Exposure to COVID and isolation rules

We continue to hear about situations where a staff member is re-exposed to COVID-19 and employers are wondering whether the person must isolate again.

The re-exposure rules in Victoria, the ACT and the NT have changed to align with the other states. Please note that the rules are still changing regularly, so employers are encouraged to check the relevant state health department for up-to-date information

Queensland

A person who is considered a ‘cleared case’ of COVID-19 will not be required to isolate if they test positive for COVID-19 on another occasion, if that test result is within 12 weeks of the person exiting their previous isolation period.

This means that an employee who has had COVID-19 and has returned to work after 7 days of isolation, will not be required to isolate for the 12 weeks following the end of their isolation if they again test positive for COVID-19 during that period. Additionally, a ‘cleared case’ will not need to isolate if someone else in their household gets COVID-19, within 12 weeks of the person exiting isolation.

Further information about ending isolation after having COVID-19 has been published by the Queensland Department of Health.

New South Wales

In NSW people who have recovered from COVID-19 are deemed to have a low risk of getting it again in the 12 weeks after they are released from isolation.

If a person comes into contact with someone with COVID-19 within 12 weeks after they are released from isolation, they will not need to test or isolate again.

For further information, go to the testing positive factsheet.

Victoria

In Victoria, people who have recovered from COVID-19 are not required to get tested or isolate again if they are re-exposed to a case within 8 weeks of ending their isolation period.

More information can be read on the Coronavirus Victoria website.

South Australia

In South Australia, someone who has previously tested positive to COVID-19 will not be considered a close contact for 12 weeks after their release from isolation.

Please see the SA Health website for more detail.

Western Australia

Recovered cases who are a close contact to a positive case within 12 weeks of completing isolation, will not need to isolate or quarantine again.

Healthy WA has more information regarding isolation rules.

Tasmania

People who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 12 weeks are not considered to be close contacts and do not need to quarantine or get rested if they are exposed again.

The Coronavirus Tas website has further information on re-exposure to COVID-19.

Australia Capital Territory

In the ACT, someone that has recovered from COVID-19 is not deemed to be a close contact if they are exposed to a positive case within 12 weeks of their clearance from isolation.

Recovering from COVID-19 has more detail.

Northern Territory

A person will not be required to get tested or isolate if they are a close contact within 12 weeks of them leaving isolation.

See more information on managing your COVID-19 from Coronavirus NT.