Australia Narrows ‘Close Contact’ Definition to Overcome COVID-19 Testing Backlog

People line up at the Histopath pre-departure COVID-19 testing clinic at Sydney International airport in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 23, 2021. Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Five Australian jurisdictions have agreed on a new definition for a COVID-19 “close contact,” which will relieve PCR testing clinics from overwhelming queues and help keep the economy running.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that from midnight of Dec. 31, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory will change their definition of a close contact and follow-up procedures.