Member Area Resources - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
COVID NEWS 2022

Page reviewed 7 February 2023

Jump to your relevant states information here:

National Queensland  |  New South Wales  |  Australian Capital Terrritory  | Tasmania  |  Victoria  |  South Australia  | Western Australia | Northern Territory

ACA National COVID Overview

Health Direct COVID-19 Restriction Checker can be viewed here.

National Steps

3 October 2022 

Mandatory isolation will end on October 14 2022. It will be up to the individual to manage their need to isolate while having COVID-19.

Workers in health, disability and aged care will be still required to isolate.

You do not need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to travel to and from Australia.

7 September 2022 

From the 9th of September, the COVID-19 isolation period will reduce from 7 days to 5 days if you have no symptoms and don’t work in aged care, disability care or home care.

  • face masks will no longer be mandatory on domestic flights.

Queensland

Return To School - Information

Queensland Health have confirmed there are "No restrictions on visitors to schools, assemblies, camps or excursions".

3 October 2022

Face masks are still required in indoor spaces that are, or are part of, a:

  • residential aged care facility
  • shared disability accommodation service
  • hospital
  • healthcare setting where face-to-face services are provided
  • corrective services facility
  • detention centre.

They are also required when outside of your home or accommodation if:

  • you have a temperature equal to or higher than 37.5 degrees
  • you have COVID-19 symptoms
  • you’re awaiting a COVID-19 PCR test result
  • you’re diagnosed with COVID-19
  • you're a close contact.

Also, for 5 days after the end of isolation, you must wear a face mask at all times when you leave your home, including:

  • indoors
  • outdoors when you can’t stay physically distanced from others.

Missing Something? Check Out The 2022 Archive Here.

New South Wales

Return To School - Information

Camps are permitted in NSW for state schools.

NSW Department of Education - COVID-19 information for camp providers 

NSW schools have been experiencing an increase in COVID-19 transmission, in line with the rise in community transmission over the past weeks. During the first 4 weeks of Term 3, the NSW Department of Education (DoE) increased our COVID-smart layered measures. As schools go ahead with overnight excursions or camps following this 4-week blitz, the DoE continues to recommend COVID-smart layered measures.

To reduce the risk of transmission within overnight excursions or camps, particularly during transport to and from camp locations and in shared accommodation, the DoE is asking schools to consider the following COVID-smart measures: 

  • Choose well-ventilated or outdoor venues. Check that indoor venues support ventilation requirements 
  • Strongly encourage mask wearing for all students, staff and visitors/volunteers including masks on transport to and from the excursion and when indoors and not able to physically distance  
  • Use a cohort based (separating year groups/classes) approach where possible 
  • Use rapid antigen tests before overnight excursions or camps 
  • Restrict anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms from attending. 
  • Prevent anyone identified as a close contact from attending. 

The department is also asking schools to conduct a risk assessment before the excursion. Assessments may include:

  • Preventative measures such as mask wearing, staff vaccinations, physical distancing, hygiene supplies 
  • Processes in the event of a positive or suspected case 
  • Healthcare accessibility 
  • Financial considerations for cancellations and transportation costs 
  • Wellbeing support while isolating 
  • Communications to school and families 

Schools are being asked to consider a space / accommodation for staff and students who become unwell to isolate until return travel arrangements can be made. Any further COVID-safety measures offered by venues and providers should also be considered.

Camp providers should clearly communicate to schools the expectations if a student or staff member becomes unwell while away. 
 
Currently, staff and students who test positive to COVID-19 while on an overnight camp or excursion will be required to self-isolate per the NSW Health guidelines. Staff and students who do test positive should be isolated until arrangements are made for collection by a family member or carer, in line with consent sought as a condition of attendance. Note that the NSW Health guidelines allow COVID-positive individuals to travel by private vehicle, cycling or walking only for the purposes of relocating for self-isolation. 
 
Note that those sharing a cabin or a room with a person who tests positive to COVID-19 will be identified as household and close contacts per NSW Health’s definition. Schools should be notified so that they can extend communication to relevant families about the requirements to follow the NSW Health household and close contact guidelines in these instances. 

25 July 2022

The latest COVID News in NSW can be found here:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/rules/people-in-nsw

 

Missing Something? Check Out The 2022 Archive Here.

Australian Capital Territory

Return To School - Information

Camps are permitted in ACT. For more information click here.

 

3 October 2022

The Following changes have been made in the ACT:

  1. Face masks no longer need to be worn on public and shared transport such as buses, light rail, taxis and ride share. ACT Health continues to recommend people wear a mask if it isn’t possible to physically distance.
  2. Household contacts no longer need to report their status to ACT Health.
  3. COVID safety plans are no longer required for Canberra businesses and events. Planning tools will remain available and ACT Health recommends businesses maintain an up-to-date COVID-19 safety plan to help manage the risk for staff, visitors and customers.
  4. Vaccine mandates will no longer apply for workers in aged care facilities or disability care settings. Employers will now need to consider whether they wish to implement their own vaccination requirements in their employment policy or work health and safety settings.

Missing Something? Check Out The 2022 Archive Here.

Tasmania

Return To School - Information

Camps are permitted in TAS in the start of Term 1. Within the Tasmanian Government Return to School FAQS it states:

Can school camps and excursions still go ahead?
Yes. School camps and excursions can continue with COVID-safe measures in place. 

 

Missing Something? Check Out The 2022 Archive Here.

Victoria

Return To School - Information

Camps are permitted in VIC in the start of Term 1. 

27 September 2022

From 11.59pm on Thursday, 22 September, face masks will no longer be required on public transport or in taxis, rideshare services or tourism vehicles and will instead be strongly recommended, in line with the existing indoor mask recommendations.

 

Missing Something? Check Out The 2022 Archive Here.

South Australia

Return To School - Information

School Camps can commence in SA.

 

Missing Something? Check Out The 2022 Archive Here.

Western Australia

Return To School - Information

School camps can go ahead in WA.

Find Guidelines for Camp Providers Here

7 September 2022

Under the latest health advice, mask rules will be eased on all public and passenger transport, including trains, buses, rideshare services, taxis and domestic air travel from 12:01am, Friday 9 September.

 

Missing Something? Check Out The 2022 Archive Here.

Northern Territory

Return To School - Information

School Camps can commence in NT.

 

Missing Something? Check Out The 2022 Archive Here.