The scrapping of COVID-19 isolation rules – what this means for your business
On Friday 30 September, the National Cabinet announced its decision to scrap mandatory isolation requirements for COVID-19 cases from 14 October 2022. Pandemic leave disaster payments will also cease on this date although targeted financial support will be maintained for some industries (eg aged care, disability care, Aboriginal health care). Employers, however, now must continue to maintain their COVID control measures under the more relaxed public health legislation and ensure they have processes in place to manage work health and safety (WHS) risks around infectious diseases in the workplace.
If your business hasn’t already done so, it is important to start a consultation process with the employees who will be affected by this decision and also your health and safety representative (HSR). Discussion items could include (but not limited to):
Is it necessary to draft a new policy or update a current policy?
Does the business still require its staff to be show evidence of vaccination?
Does the business still want to observe practices relating to social distancing and mask wearing?
What protocol should be followed if an employee has COVID (in situations where they have symptoms or are asymptomatic):
Attendance at the workplace or visiting clients
Communication of close contacts of COVID-19
Reporting and communication of cases within the workplace
Hygiene requirements in the workplace