From 11:59pm on Thursday 8 September, the self-isolation period for positive COVID-19 cases who don’t have symptoms on day 5 of their isolation will reduce from 7 to 5 days – excluding people who work in high-risk settings.

The requirement to wear masks on domestic flights will also be lifted.

The new orders around the self-isolation period for positive cases include some additional requirements to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

Anyone leaving isolation after five days cannot visit or work at a sensitive setting – such as hospitals, residential aged care, disability care settings or in-home care for the next two days, or if they have COVID-19 symptoms.

This additional precaution reflects the increased risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19 in people in those high-risk settings.

People who work in other settings must notify their workplace that they have completed isolation if they are attending work on site.

As an additional risk mitigation, people who leave isolation after 5 days are recommended to undertake rapid antigen testing in the days following their isolation. They are also recommended to test negative before attending their workplace or other settings of higher risk, and to wear a mask in indoor settings outside the home – in line with existing recommendations.

There are no changes to the current isolation requirements for close contacts, who can continue to leave home each day, provided they continually test negative on a rapid antigen test.

Confirmed cases must also notify their workplace that they have completed self-isolation if attending work onsite.

For all current COVIDSafe settings for business and industry, see How we work: Victoria.

Read the full media release on the Premier's website.