Australia Might Shorten Isolation Time For COVID Positive People In 2022

Right now, anyone who contracts COVID in NSW or Victoria needs to isolate for 10 days from the day they were tested

Australia Might Shorten Isolation Time For COVID Positive People In 2022
Days in COVID isolation could be reduced.

According to new reports, the isolation time for COVID positive people in Australia might further shorten. In the United States, the isolation time is less than a week. Now, the chief health officers in Australia are considering the same.



COVID isolation time could be reduced.

According to Sydney Morning Herald, an anonymous source from the government said that the chief health officers are planning to make a recommendation at the beginning of 2022. The CHOs form the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

However, currently, it is not confirmed whether the reduction in the isolation period will apply to people who are asymptomatic. The reports have not confirmed whether it also applies to everyone who is COVID positive in Australia.

 

Earlier in November, the Victorian Government reduced the isolation time for people who are COVID positive to 10 days. The isolation time previously was longer. And the NSW government also followed the same course before Christmas.

 

On Wednesday, the state of New South Wales recorded 11201 new cases of COVID. So, Brad Hazzard stated that the state might consider bringing down the isolation period. If this happens, it would be in line with the rules that the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has set in the United States. However, he also stated that in Australia, it must be more of a national approach.

Regarding this, he stated, “I firmly believe it’s worthy of strong consideration, but preferably it should be done in a nationally uniform approach approved through [the Health Protection Principal Committee].”

 

He further added, “I’m very aware the CDC has reduced the period of isolation. This is a proportionate risk environment that we’re in and having periods of isolation that impinge on the economic capacity of business and individuals is very problematic.”

Currently, people who contract COVID in Victoria and NSW only need isolation for 10 days. This would start from the day of the first COVID test. Furthermore, if no symptoms appear for 72 hours before completion of 10 days, one can leave isolation in NSW. However, in Victoria, full isolation for 10 days is mandatory, but at the end of the period, another PCR swab test is required.



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