PM outlines new close contact definitions; Cairns Base’s no-visitor policy

Covid-19 Update

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison today outlined new close contact definitions, and although he did not address casual contacts which has impacted nine Port Douglas restaurants and cafes, it is still encouraging news.

And in another development, the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) confirmed an additional 54 cases have been recorded, which is the region’s largest single day increase, and Cairns Hospital will move to a no-visitor policy in its emergency department, according to NewsCorp.

The virus has also spread to Thursday Island and Weipa.

Addressing the media, Mr Morrison said a close contact is now a household contact of a confirmed case only.

“A household contact is someone who lives with a case or has spent more than four hours with them in a house, accommodation or care facility setting.
“You are only a close contact if you are, effectively, living with someone or have been in an accommodation setting with someone for more than four hours with someone who has actually got Covid,” he said.

“A closer contact that is symptomatic must still have a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test.

“A close contact who is asymptomatic, does not have symptoms, must have a rapid antigen test, and if positive, they must then have a PCR test,” said Morrison.

Nine restaurants and cafes in Port Douglas – the Central Hotel, Grant Street Kitchen, Port Douglas Surf Club Bar and Bistro, Cafe Fresq, Star of Siam, Niramaya Restaurant, Wrasse and Roe, Sassi La Cucina and Salsa Bar & Grill – have been identified as casual contact.

Rhys Bawden, Owner and Director of Salsa Bar & Grill, said he has read the latest announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison with the new definition of a close contact.

“It is still a little vague and it could have gone a little further and also covered casual contact further so this was crystal clear as well.

“Close contact is for those people who have spent more than four hours in a household environment. The rest are to be considered casual contact? And they need to monitor their symptoms and if they feel unwell do a R.A.T.

“But, this seems a little clearer and hopefully will enable a lot of the local business to continue trading and keeping their doors open and their customers happy,” said Bawden.

Meanwhile, there are changes to testing requirements for hot spot travellers to Queensland

From January 1 2022, if you are a hot spot traveller entering Queensland, you will be able to meet entry testing requirements by either:

     i) a negative Rapid Antigen Test, or

    ii) a negative PCR test

taken in the 72 hours prior to entering Queensland. Until then, a negative PCR test is required for entry.

Hot spot travellers in Queensland are now no longer required to get a COVID-19 PCR test on day five following their arrival to Queensland. You still have to get tested if you develop COVID-19 symptoms or if you are a close contact of a person with COVID-19.

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