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All Australian states and territories have lifted mandatory five-day COVID-19 quarantine requirements.
The decision to end the rule was made by the National Cabinet at its September meeting.
Victoria was the first state to lift mandatory quarantines on Wednesday, followed by others on Friday.
Residents of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria will also no longer be required to report a positive rapid antigen test online.
The government continues to encourage people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to stay home if they feel unwell and wear a mask if they need to leave their homes.
We also encourage workers in high-risk settings, such as healthcare and aged care, to stay away from work for seven days if they are COVID-positive, if possible.
New South Wales Prime Minister Dominic Perrotet said the country was moving towards a system of ‘good faith’ where people look out for and care about each other.
“There could be another wave of COVID in the future. In fact, we probably expect it. It means that by doing the test, we can take care of ourselves and our families,” he said. told reporters.
South Australia’s chief health officer, Nicola Spurrier, said she believes communities have individual responsibility.
“A lot of the time we didn’t have a legal mandate, but people were still doing it. I’m sure it will continue next month.”
Perrottet said it was the right decision and lobbied for all separation rules to be repealed.
“It’s time for Australia to move forward. I believe in freedom… I believe in freedom.”
Australia scales back pandemic response, except for Western Australia
Most states, including Victoria, which had the world’s longest lockdown in its capital Melbourne, ended their emergency powers after deciding further extension was inappropriate.
However, Western Australia appears poised to pass legislation for ‘continued management’ of COVID-19 that gives law enforcement broad powers.
This includes the power to “break and enter any place or vehicle” to enforce health orders.
Labor MP David Templeman, leader of the House of Commons, said the new proposal should allow for a “temporary fit-for-purpose legal framework” to manage COVID-19.
“The reason why it is important that the bill is processed as soon as possible is to allow COVID-19 to be managed outside of the emergency and these arrangements to expire after two years,” he said in September. said in parliament. . twenty one.
National Party leader Shane Love said the state was out of step with the rest of the country.
“These states have made dramatically different decisions than this government on these measures and how to transition to the next phase,” he said. “I hope the government doesn’t jump up and take the easy way out and say, ‘Look how they manage everything else.'”
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Rebecca Zhu is based in Sydney. She focuses on the national politics of Australia and New Zealand. Any tips? Please contact her at [email protected].
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