Prime Minister monitoring for COVID-19 symptom after positive case at Kirribilli House
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms after a positive case attended Kirribilli House, Sydney earlier this week.
"NSW Health has advised a person who is a confirmed case of COVID-19 attended Kirribilli House on Wednesday 29 December while potentially infectious," a spokesperson for the prime minister told 9News.
The positive case attended a press conference held on Wednesday while potentially infectious.
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Scott Morrison is monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms after a positive case attended Kirribilli House earlier this week but the PM not required to isolate Janie Barrett/Sydney Morning Herald
Changes to isolation rules for close contacts, which came into effect at 12am on Friday, mean Mr Morrison isn't required to isolate.
Residents and staff of Kirribilli House are also monitoring for symptoms but NSW Health has said there is no need to close or contact attendees.
"Kirribilli House residents and staff members are acting in accordance with the instructions from NSW Health," the spokesperson said.
"As per the NSW Health guidelines, the prime minister was not required to isolate or get tested, and continues to monitor for symptoms."
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison gestures to media at Kirribilli House in Sydney (file photo). AAP
Changes to close contact definition and isolation periods
Mr Morrison announced a new definition of close contacts following a National Cabinet meeting on Thursday, to reduce pressure on PCR testing queues.
The changes took effect on Friday across five jurisdictions, including NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Tasmania will introduce the definition from January 1 while the Northern Territory and Western Australia will confirm in a few days "how they will be moving to these new definitions".
"A close contact is a household contact, or household like, of a confirmed case only," he said.
Mr Morrison announced a new definition of close contacts following a National Cabinet meeting on Thursday, to reduce pressure on PCR testing queues Getty
"A household contact is someone who lives with a case or has spent more than four hours with them in our house, accommodation or care facility setting."
Close contacts will still need to isolate for seven days from their exposure date.
An asymptomatic close contact must take a rapid test, while a close contact who is symptomatic or who returns a positive RAT test must have a PCR test.
Mr Morrison said there was no need for anyone who did not fulfil the close contact definition to line up for PCR tests.
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