COVID-19 rule change affects ACT-based ECEC providers – close contacts don’t need iso

ACT Health has removed COVID-19 quarantine requirements for close contacts in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings, adopting the “test to stay” model favoured in other states. 

Staff and children identified as close contacts will be required to present a negative PCR or rapid test taken within the previous 48 hours to return to care.

Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Vanessa Johnston made the announcement via a Facebook livestream last week, noting that the government had previously taken a more conservative approach in early childhood settings because children aged zero to five years were not yet eligible for vaccination.

Given that there has not been a significant number of cases in that group and also “certainly not an uptick in disease in the age group,” the strict regime has been loosened.

To access local media coverage of this story, see here. For the latest information on COVID-19 compliance in ACT based ECEC settings see here.