Changes to household and close contact requirements

Published

The NSW public health orders have recently been updated with changes to the isolation requirements for household and close contacts. Here’s what the point to point transport industry needs to know.

Changes to exemption period for household and close contacts of COVID-19 cases

The exemption period from self-isolation for household and close contacts of persons diagnosed with COVID-19 who themselves have previously been diagnosed with COVID-19 (and completed the required isolation at home, hospital or another place) has been reduced from 12 weeks to 4 weeks.


What does this mean for the point to point transport industry?


The change to the exemption period for household and close contacts means if a driver has tested positive to COVID-19 and completed the required period of self-isolation within the past 4 weeks, they can continue to provide passenger services in line with their service provider’s COVID-19 Safety Plan and do not need to self-isolate or comply with the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines, provided they are symptom-free.

Otherwise, a driver who is a household or close contact of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 must either self-isolate for the required period, or alternatively comply with the Guidelines for 7 days from the last time someone in their household tested positive for COVID-19 or as otherwise directed by an authorised contact tracer.

The requirements under the Guidelines include that household and close contacts must:

  • wear a face mask in indoor settings outside the home;
  • notify their employer (e.g., their service provider) that they are a household or close contact and not attend the workplace without their employer’s approval;
  • where practicable, undertake a rapid antigen test before coming into contact with people outside their household;

This means that a driver who is a household or close contact should complete a rapid antigen test and receive a negative result before beginning their shift. If they are at higher risk of severe illness, they should get a PCR test as per advice from NSW Health.

  • do not enter an aged care facility, hospital, disability care or correctional facility (unless a special exemption applies); and
  • avoid contact with elderly and immunocompromised persons where possible.

The above is not a complete list of the requirements under the Guidelines, which should be read in full.

Please note that household and close contacts do not need to comply with the Guidelines if they were not in contact with the person diagnosed with COVID-19 during their infectious period. People are infectious from either 48 hours before they have symptoms, or if they do not have symptoms, from 48 hours before they test positive.

Mask wearing is mandatory in point to point transport vehicles

Mask wearing continues to be mandatory in all point to point transport vehicles across NSW and provides essential protection against the spread of illness.

Drivers and passengers are required to wear a mask when travelling in taxis, hire and rideshare vehicles when a passenger service is being provided. This includes at a rank or rideshare pickup/ drop off area.

Mandatory mask wearing does not apply to: 
•    Children 12 and under
•    Persons with a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a fitted face covering unsuitable

Fourth booster shot now available

The fourth booster shot is now available for people aged 30 and above and is highly recommended for people who are 50 years and older, immunocompromised or have an underlying medical condition or disability. Staying up to date with your vaccinations is essential to protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.
 

Stay up to date

We will continue to inform the industry as new information and updates to public health orders become available.  
For more information, see the NSW Government website.