Revised Covid Testing and Isolation Protocols - WA
8 February 2022|Employer Alert, Member Alert
The following has been sourced from the WA Government and is accurate as at 8th February 2022. Please be aware that policies and protocols are regularly updated and to either visit wa.gov.au or contact us for the latest information.
Revised close contact, testing and isolation protocols came into effect from 12.01am, Tuesday 8 February 2022.
The updated protocols require persons who have been exposed to COVID-19 to be tested and to isolate as follows:
Confirmed positive case
Self-isolate for a minimum of seven days
At Day 7, if symptoms still present, continue isolating until symptoms clear
If no symptoms after Day 7, you can leave self-isolation. No testing required.
Symptomatic close contact
Self-isolate for seven days from the date of contact with positive case;
Take a PCR or RAT test on Day 1 or as soon as possible
If positive – follow positive case guidelines (as above)
If negative – stay in isolation, take a RAT test in 24 hours and remain in isolation
If positive – follow positive case guidelines (as above)
If negative – and no new household members have tested positive - take a RAT test again on Day 7, before ending isolation.
Asymptomatic close contact
Self-isolate for seven days from the date of contact with positive case
If symptoms develop, take a PCR or RAT test
If positive – follow positive case guidelines (as above)
If still asymptomatic, take a RAT on Day 7
If positive - follow positive case guidelines.
If negative - and no new household members have tested positive - self-isolation ends after Day 7, and people should monitor for symptoms.
Symptomatic but not a close contact
Get a PCR test immediately and isolation until result returned
If positive – follow positive case guidelines (as above)
If negative – you are not required to isolate but should stay home until symptoms clear.
If you take a RAT, because a PCR test is unavailable:
If positive – follow positive case guidelines (as above)
If negative – continue to isolate and repeat RAT in 24 hours – if negative after this follow-up test, you are not required to isolate but should stay home until symptoms clear.
Close Contacts
A close contact for the purposes of the testing and isolation protocols means:
A household member or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 who has had contact with them during their infectious period; or
Someone who has had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period:
That have had at least 15 minutes face to face contact where a mask was not worn by the exposed person and the person with COVID-19; or
Greater than two hours within a small room with a case during their infectious period, where masks have been removed for this period; or
Someone who is directed by WA Health that they are a close contact.
Infographics relating to testing and isolation
Infographics have been published by the WA Government for the following Testing and Isolation situations:
