Duty of care to isolate / quarantine with COVID-19

Members have contacted us with concerns about recent updates to health directions where they have tested Covid positive or been a close contact and called in to return to work, worried that they will be returning to work too soon.

On 14 January 2022, the CDNA National Guidelines for public health units were revised to reflect the National Cabinet decisions and AHPPC recommendations to revise test, trace, isolate and quarantine (TTIQ) in the context of high levels of COVID-19 transmission. 

The following table details release from isolation criteria for all confirmed or probable cases as outlined in the National Cabinet agreed COVID-19 Test & Isolate National Protocols. To calculate the isolation period, day 0 is the day the case took their first positive test. Day 1 is the first full day after the first positive test was taken. 

In addition to the above criteria, in some high-risk clinical settings, confirmed cases who are significantly immunocompromised may be requested to meet the below additional criteria: 

• Negative NAAT on at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart, after 7 days have passed since the first positive test; OR 
• Negative RAT on at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart, after 14 days have passed since the since the first positive test

Learn more on the CDNA National guidelines for public health units.