20 Apr 2022 | 04:32 AM UTC
Australia: Authorities to ease COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales from 18:00 April 22 /update 50
New South Wales, Australia, to ease COVID-19 restrictions from 18:00 April 22. Quarantine lifted for unvaccinated residents from April 30.
Event
Authorities in New South Wales (NSW) will ease COVID-19 restrictions in the state from 18:00 April 22. The government will end social distancing measures on public transport, increasing capacity. Officials will stop requiring close contacts of COVID-19 cases to self-quarantine for seven days. However, close contacts must wear facemasks in indoor public settings, take a daily rapid antigen test (RAT) if meeting people outside of the home, avoid elderly and immunocompromised people when possible, and work from home if practical. Exemptions for close contacts in critical sectors will end with the new rule. The government will also cease mandatory vaccination requirements for essential workers, except employees at aged care and disability establishments.
Starting April 30, NSW will no longer require unvaccinated returning international travelers to undergo quarantine. Unvaccinated arrivals must take a RAT within 24 hours of arrival and self-quarantine until receiving a negative result.
Local Measures
A facemask requirement remains for public transport and medical facilities. The government maintains quick response (QR) code check-in requirements for high-risk establishments, such as nightclubs. State vaccine requirements remain for specific industries and indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people. Businesses may still require vaccination and/or facemasks for entry.
Officials encourage residents to use a RAT if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or designated a close contact of a COVID-19 case; residents that test positive must register their RAT result with Service NSW. Confirmed COVID-19 cases must self-quarantine for at least seven days and have 24 hours without symptoms before exiting.
Quarantine Requirements
NSW permits fully vaccinated travelers to enter Australia under national guidelines without quarantine. Inbound fully vaccinated passengers and unvaccinated returning residents must self-quarantine until obtaining a negative RAT result. Authorities strongly recommend travelers take another RAT on the sixth day after arrival. Other permitted unvaccinated travelers must quarantine seven days at government-designated facilities at their own expense. Current quarantine fees are AUD 1,500 for the first adult, AUD 500 per additional adult, and AUD 250 per child; the government does not charge fees for children under three years old. Authorities may test international travelers to Australia for COVID-19 within the first 48 hours after arrival and during quarantine; refusal to take tests may result in a longer quarantine period.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by government health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.
