Critical Worker Exemption from the Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order (No 4) 2021 (No 3)

• Exempts a critical worker from Clauses 7A and 8 of the Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order (No 4) 2021 for the purpose of attending work, subject to certain conditions - came into force on 24 January 2022.

Electoral Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2022

• Amends the Electoral Regulation 2018 to make further provision regarding the conduct of by-elections during the COVID-19 pandemic - came into force on 19 January 2022.

Exemption Under the Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order (No 4) 2021

• Exempts persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) from Clause 11 of the Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order (No 4) 2021 in certain circumstances - came into force on 20 January 2022.

COVID-19 Directions (No. 22) 2022: Directions for Infected Persons and Close Contacts

• Imposes isolation and testing requirements for infected persons and quarantine and testing requirements for close contacts, among other things.

COVID-19 Directions (No. 23) 2022: Amendment of COVID-19 Directions (No. 10) 2022

• Amends COVID-19 Directions (No. 10) 2022.

COVID-19 Directions (No. 24): Directions to Lock Down Various Localities

• Restricts movement and gatherings, and closes places, businesses, services and activities in the localities of Gunyangara and Wurrumiyanga, among other things.

COVID-19 Directions (No. 25): Directions to Lock Down Utopia Homelands

• Restricts movement and gatherings, and closes places, businesses, services and activities in the land known as Utopia Homelands as defined in the Directions, among other things.

COVID-19 Directions (No. 26) 2022: Amendment of COVID-19 Directions (No. 19) 2022

• Amends COVID-19 Directions (No. 19) 2022.

COVID-19 Directions (No. 27) 2022: Amendment of COVID-19 Directions (No. 20) 2022

• Amends COVID-19 Directions (No. 20) 2022.

COVID-19 Directions (No. 28): Directions to Lock Down Milikapiti

• Restricts movement and gatherings, and closes places, businesses, services and activities in the locality of Milikapiti, among other things.

Hospital Entry Direction (No. 9)

• Limits entry to hospitals including requirements for restricted and non-restricted hospitals, vaccination requirements and student access to hospitals, among other things.

Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 4)

• Amends the requirements for a diagnosed person and for close contacts contained in the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.3) for the purpose of protecting the health of the community and health workers, and to safeguard the delivery of hospital care in Queensland.

Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew Direction (No. 2)

• Protects the health of the community and air crew by mitigating the risk of the spread of COVID-19 through quarantine and COVID-19 testing of air crew.

Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No. 20)

• Sets the requirements for quarantine for international arrivals, quarantine at government nominated accommodation, early release from quarantine and screening and evidentiary provisions, among other things.

Requirements for Quarantine Facility Workers Direction (No. 5)

• Protects the health of the community and individuals working in the quarantine facility system by mitigating the risk of the spread of COVID-19, including through vaccination, PPE and routine surveillance COVID-19 testing requirements for workers.

Direction Under Section 16 (Residential Aged Care Facilities - No. 19)

• Limits access to residential aged care facilities and sets the requirements for testing, PPE and vaccines related to residential aged care facilities, among other things.

Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania

• Imposes requirements for persons arriving in Tasmania who are not fully vaccinated, travellers from extreme risk locations, cruise ships, international maritime crew and quarantine.

COVID Restrictions (Gatherings and Related Measures) Directions (No 10)

• Restricts entry to certain premises by people who do not produce accepted proof of information, requires the wearing of face covering in the affected area, gives further directions in order to prevent, control or abate the risks associated with the emergency presented by the pandemic caused by COVID-19 following the detection of a positive case of COVID-19 in the WA community, and otherwise limits the spread of COVID-19.

Extension of State of Emergency Declaration

• Extends the state of emergency declaration made on 15 March 2020 for a further 14 days.

COVID-19 Public Health Response (Protection Framework) Amendment Order (No. 2) 2022

• Amends the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Protection Framework) Order 2021 to move Northland from Red to join the rest of NZ at Orange under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

COVID-19 Public Health Response (Protection Framework) Amendment Order (No. 3) 2022

• Amends the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Protection Framework) Order 2021 to move the whole of NZ from Orange to Red under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order 2022

• Amends the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 to require affected persons who are 18 years of age or older (and do not belong to a group specified in Part 10 of Schedule 2) to receive a booster dose of a specified COVID-19 vaccine.

Notice of Authorisation for Expanding Import, Supply and Distribution Under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Point-of-care Tests) Order 2021

• Authorises certain persons or classes of persons to import, supply, distribute, sell to other authorised persons or classes of persons, and use (excluding the importation or supply for any individual's personal use) specified point-of-care tests.

Notice of Expansion to Authorisation of Persons to Import, Supply and Distribute Point-of-care Tests Under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Point-of-care Tests) Order 2021

• Authorises certain persons or classes of persons to import, supply, distribute, sell to other authorised persons or classes of persons, and use (excluding the importation or supply for any individual's personal use) specified point-of-care tests.

Revocation and Replacement - Specified COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Criteria

• Determines the criteria in Schedule 1 as specified COVID-19 vaccination exemption criteria.

Australian Government:

• National Cabinet Statement - 20 January 2022

Department of Health:

• AHPPC Statement on Rapid Antigen Testing for Current High Community Prevalence Environment
• ATAGI Statement on the Use of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine (Nuvaxovid)
• ATAGI Update Following Weekly COVID-19 Meeting - 19 January 2022
• Commonwealth Government Referring False Claims About Requisitioning to ACCC
• COVID-19 Vaccination Information Kiosks Open Now in NSW, Qld, SA, Vic and WA
• Top 3 COVID-19 Vaccine Questions - Vaccines for 5 to 11 Years Olds, Protection of Boosters, and Getting the Flu

Therapeutic Goods Administration:

• Applying for TGA Assessment of a COVID-19 Test for Inclusion in the ARTG
• COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Self-Tests that are Approved in Australia
• COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests - Information for Manufacturers and Sponsors
• COVID-19 Test Kits Included in the ARTG for Legal Supply in Australia
• COVID-19 Vaccine: Provisional Registrations
• Legal Supply of COVID-19 Test Kits
• TGA Provisionally Approves Novavax (Biocelect Pty Ltd's) COVID-19 Vaccine NUVAXOVID
• TGA Provisionally Approves Two Oral COVID-19 Treatments, Molnupiravir (LAGEVRIO) and Nirmatrelvir + Ritonavir (PAXLOVID)

ACT Government:

• Arrangements for Start of 2022 ACT School Year
• Booster Interval Brought Forward to Three Months
• Changes to Testing for High Risk and Household Contacts
• COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses and Third Doses
• Priority Vaccine Boosters for Health Care, Aged Care and Disability Care Staff
• Statement on National Cabinet Meeting
• Update on ACT COVID-19 Testing Clinic Arrangements

NSW Government:

• Booster Doses to Be Brought Forward
• COVID-smart Plan to Start 2022 School Year

NT Government:

• Keeping Territory Kids Safe as School Returns
• NT COVID-19 Update - Milikapiti Enters 72 Hour Lockdown

QLD Government:

• Entering Queensland from Overseas - Updated 22 January 2022
• More Queenslanders Eligible for Booster
• Restrictions on Vaccinated International Arrivals Ease

Department for Energy and Mining:

• Resources and Energy Sector Update: Managing the Risk of COVID Exposures

SafeWork SA:

• Statement of Regulatory Intent: COVID-19

SA Government:

• Thousands More South Australians Now Eligible for Their COVID Booster

Tasmanian Government:

• Booster Interval Cut to Three Months
• Changes to Border Entry Requirements for Vaccinated Travellers
• Continuing Our Transition to Live with COVID-19
• COVID-19 Business Impact Support Program
• COVID Safety in Schools Plan Released
• New Delivery Option of RAT Kits for Eligible People Living in Rural and Remote Areas
• Talking to Your Child About COVID-19

Victorian Government:

• Helping Public Sector Workers Get Their Third Dose
• Jobs for Victorians to Put More Food on Supermarket Shelves
• Keeping Education Open and Safe in 2022
• Millions More Rapid Tests on the Way
• Victoria Reduces Third Dose Interval Ahead of Vax Blitz

Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety:

• Consumers Warned About Dodgy Sellers of COVID-19 Rapid Testing Kits

WA Government:

• Applications Open for Small Business Assistance
• Increased COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments for 5 to 11 Year Olds
• WA’s Updated Safe Transition Plan from 5 February, 2022

NZ Government:

• Mandatory Boosters for Key Workforces Progressing Well
• New Zealand to Move to Red from 11.59pm Today
• Northland to Move to Orange, NZ Prepared for Omicron
• NZ to Move to Red

World Health Organisation:

• Statement on the Tenth Meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee Regarding the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic
• Updated WHO SAGE Roadmap for Prioritizing Uses of COVID-19 Vaccine.