Immediate quarantine rule could be over for Covid-19 close contacts

COVID-19 close contacts may soon no longer be required to immediately quarantine on notification under a shake-up being considered by the national cabinet.

The meeting of premiers and the Prime Minister on Friday also endorsed a plan to deal with a potential Covid and influenza surge this season, which includes preparing for a vaccine jab for some cohorts as necessary.

The nation’s expert medical panel, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, has been ordered to provide urgent advice on how the nation can transition to only requiring close contacts of Covid cases to quarantine if they test positive.

It would be a major step in moving to a “new normal” and easing pressures on the workahead of the winter flu and Covid season, but the medical panel is yet to reach a consensus on the matter.

The advice is expected to be provided back as soon as possible, with each state then to set their own rules based on the AHPPC recommendation.

There will also be consideration given for a transition to allowing otherwise healthy people with mild respiratory symptoms to voluntarily selffourth isolate, instead of undertaking a PCR test.

The winter Covid plan includes the Commonwealth chipping in another $1.2bn for aged and disability care, $571m for vaccines, as well as ongoing support for the coronavirus helpline, GP respiratory clinics and providing personal protective equipment.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government was prepared for the worst-case scenforce ario with regards to flu and Covid, but noted the nation had “best of the scenarios” with regards to the impact the Omicron outbreak had on hospitals over the summer.

“It’s more likely than not that there will be a booster recommended for those above a certain age; 65 is the most likely age,” Mr Hunt said.

“They are potentially going to recommend a second booster, which would then be potentially the start of an annual program for people 65 and above.”

Deputy chief medical officer Sonya Bennett said there was a new strain of the Omicron variant, dubbed BA2, that had been increasing across some states that was proving to be more transmissible.

“But it doesn’t appear to result in more severe clinical outcomes,” Dr Bennett said.