Isolation requirements remain at seven days for disability settings

The federal government has announced a reduction in isolation requirements for people with COVID-19 to five days.

However, workers in high-risk settings including disability, aged care, and health sectors must continue to remain isolated for seven days when testing positive to COVID-19 regardless of the presence of any symptoms.

The changes come into effect from Friday, 9 September.

Any person who is experiencing symptoms of illness (COVID-19 or any other disease) should continue to isolate until these symptoms cease.

Mask mandate relaxation

Mandated mask wearing is no longer required during air travel from Monday, 5 September.

Mandates for mask wearing in other shared public transport vary across states and territories.

NDS will post additional details regarding mask wearing changes for other states and territories when available. Until further advice, providers should continue to adopt the existing requirements for their location.

National Medical Stockpile - COVID support 

The Australian Government has extended current access arrangements to the disability sector to 31 December 2022. 

Registered NDIS providers and self-managing NDIS participants can access a two-week supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and rapid antigen tests (RATs) from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS), where they are unable to access these materials through the private market. 

Self-managed NDIS participants and NDIS providers who are unable to source PPE or RATs through their normal channels, can contact the NMS at NDISCOVIDPPE@health.gov.au

Requests for resources from the NMS are triaged based on need.

Availability of Novavax vaccination

ATAGI has approved availability of Novavax as a primary COVID-19 vaccination for 12 to 17-year olds.

The primary course of Novavax is given as two doses, eight weeks apart. This aligns with the existing COVID vaccination options in Australia.

ATAGI recommends says that Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax can be used for the primary course of COVID-19 vaccination in this age group.

Novavax is not approved as a booster dose for individuals in this age group who have received one of the other COVID-19 vaccinations as a primary dose unless there is no other suitable vaccination available for their needs.

Appointments can be made from 5 September and locations identified through the Australian government's Clinic Finder