Prime Minister unveils new COVID-19 close contact definition and testing changes

Australia will move to a new definition of a close contact and testing processes will change in a bid to cut wait times for COVID-19 testing and results.

The new definition of a close contact is a household contact or household-like contact who has spent four or more hours in a household or accommodation setting with a positive case.

Under the new rules, positive cases must isolate for seven days from their positive result and return a negative rapid antigen test on day six, prior to exiting isolation.

Close contacts who are asymptomatic must also isolate for seven days from exposure to the positive case and must return a negative rapid antigen test on day six. Close contacts who have symptoms should get a PCR test.

The new rules will come into effect in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, and the ACT at midnight on January 31.

The new definition of a close contact also comes into effect in South Australia at midnight on January 31, but positive cases there will still need to quarantine for 10 days from the date of their positive test.

Tasmania will follow the new arrangement from 1 January and the NT and WA are yet to make announcements on how they’ll proceed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the changes “ensure we are recalibrating in the right way so Australia can continue to live with this virus. That is our objective”.

Press PLAY below to hear part of the press conference

Image: Nine