'Huge relief' as isolated ACT families free from COVID-19 'limbo'

The federal government on Thursday announced major changes to COVID rules, completely scrapping casual contacts.

In addition, a close contact now only applies to someone in the same household for more than four hours.

Sound technician for The Basement Damian Blankley contracted COVID 11 days ago and midday on Friday was told by ACT Health he was free to leave his room.

Mr Blankley had been isolating in a separate part of the house so his partner Kelly Singer and son Nash Blankley, 7, didn't contract the virus.

While the news was welcomed by the family, Mr Blankley said through all the rule changes he was "living in limbo".

"I was originally told my release date would be 11.59pm on 30 December and that I would get a call for an exit interview. I didn't hear anything so called again and was told I should hear something the next morning," Mr Blankley said.

"Friday morning I got an email from them telling me I was on day nine of my isolation when it was actually day 11, then by midday I was told I was free from quarantine.

"When it passed my 10 days and I wasn't given a guarantee I could leave, so it definitely felt like I was sitting in limbo waiting for a call or email."

Mr Blankley said while the communication about quarantine requirements was confusing during all the changing rules, he was overjoyed he could now go back outside.

"It's been a huge relief. I'm very happy to be free from lockdown. Driving in my car for the first time in 11 days was surreal," Mr Blankley said.

"I finally got to give my son Nash a hug for the first time after being in a separated for so long, he's got a big smile on his face.

"He got a [Nintendo] Switch for Christmas so he's already asking to play with me so it's a good way to finish the year."

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The fast-changing information over the past week left Kelly Singer eager for better times.

"It's the not knowing that's so hard. We just want to keep our family, community and friends safe," Ms Singer said.

"Trying to balance Damien in isolation and help communicate to Nash that he can't hug or play with his dad certainly hasn't been easy for us, either.

"Both Nash and I had to isolate as well - being a close contact - but now that we've tested negative and passed the seven-day period, so it's good the worst of the week is behind us."

ACT Health announced "close contacts, including unvaccinated people, currently in quarantine in the ACT and who have received a negative result from their day six test, can now leave quarantine from day seven".

Those with a confirmed case of COVID-19 from a test collected on or before December 23 could also leave quarantine from 12.01am on Friday, December 31.

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