To stop the spread of the Omicron variant, ACT Health has closed the Territory’s borders to people who have been in southern Africa until they have been quarantined.

International travellers to NSW or Victoria who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini (Swaziland), or Malawi during the previous 14 days must not travel to the ACT until they have been quarantined at their port of entry.

This is consistent with measures put in place by the Commonwealth, NSW, and Victorian governments.

All other fully vaccinated international travellers who wish to enter the ACT must first follow the requirements of the jurisdiction of their port of entry to Australia. 

If permitted to travel to the ACT, they must:

• Complete an online declaration form within 24 hours before they arrive in the ACT (the form will be available by midday today).
• Travel directly to their ACT residence/accommodation, and spend three days in quarantine there; day zero is the day they arrive in Australia.
• Be tested for COVID-19 within 24 hours of arrival in Australia.
• Be tested again on day 6 after their arrival in Australia.

All residents in the household where a returned traveller is quarantining must also quarantine if they cannot be appropriately separated.

If ACT Health confirms the returned traveller has tested negative, they (and other household members) may leave quarantine at 11.59pm on day 3. They do not need to wait for ACT Health to formally advise them their quarantine has ended.

While travellers may leave quarantine after day 3, due to the uncertain public health impact associated with the Omicron variant, ACT Health strongly encourages them to limit movement in the community until they receive a negative test result from the mandatory day 6 PCR test.

This means travellers should:

• Stay at home wherever possible, and only go out in public spaces for essential reasons. 
• Keep good records of where they have been, including dates and times, and use Check in CBR wherever it is required. 
• Avoid public transport, and if essential, wear a mask.
• Practise good hand and respiratory hygiene, and wear a face mask whenever in a public space.

COVID-19 testing is a critical tool to identify and manage positive cases. If at any time you experience COVID-19 symptoms, please get tested immediately, and quarantine until you receive your negative results.

Travellers should be tested again 12 or 13 days after their arrival in Australia.

Travellers are not permitted to enter high risk settings for 14 days after arrival into Australia. Further information is available on the COVID-19 website.

ACT Health anticipates these settings will be in place until 15 December.

There are no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant of concern in the ACT.

International travellers who are not fully vaccinated

There is no change to requirements for these travellers. They must continue to:

• Be quarantined for 14 days at their port of entry.
• Obtain an exemption from ACT Health if they must travel to the ACT for exceptional or compassionate reasons.
• Travellers may need approval from their port of entry to enter the ACT.