COVID-19 Guidelines Update

As Australia moves into a new phase of living with COVID-19, it is still important to minimise the risk of transmission, particularly to keep vulnerable people safe and reduce pressure on the nation's health system. We are currently dealing with another wave of increased case numbers around the country, so we all must continue to play our part to help each other. However, now that many Australians are vaccinated, community guidance has changed and government requirements have been revised.

This update is to cover some key changes in line with reduced restrictions that apply to site procedures and other practices.

If you have any questions, get in touch with the Coronavirus Team.

Changes to site and office procedures

Under current government recommendations, sites and offices are no longer required to:

• Follow a specific COVID-19 Safety Plan
• Apply any COVID-19 related entry conditions to workers
• Ask workers to sign a COVID-19 Safe declaration
• Complete weekly COVID-19 checklists
• Send workers home to isolate as it is no longer mandated
• Notify workers of COVID-19 cases. This is now a personal responsibility.
• Hutchies' teams should remove any materials from sites and offices related to the above updated guidance.

Updated guidance for everyone

It is important to continue to maintain your personal responsibility to keep other people safe from illness.

As an individual, you should:

• Continue to monitor for symptoms
• Stay home when you are sick
• Test for COVID-19 regularly if you develop symptoms
• Inform the people around you if you test positive, including your social and work contacts
• Report your positive result to the relevant state health authority
• Ensure your Team Leader and Payroll are aware if you test positive
• Obtain a medical certificate if requested
• Wait until symptoms resolve before returning to work
• Wear a face mask in recommended settings (such as hospitals) or if you must leave home while symptomatic
• Consider social distancing in crowded areas

Hutchies has RATs and masks on hand for anyone in Hutchies who needs them for themselves or their family members. Just order via the Toolbox Shop, or email the Coronavirus Team.

Practical steps sites and offices should continue to take

The experience of the pandemic has taught us that there are some simple, practical steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of coming into contact with an illness, such as COVID-19.

Sites and offices should continue to take reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of the workforce, such as the following:

• Maintaining good hygiene and topping up supplies
• Continuing a regular cleaning regime
• Considering holding meetings online or outside
• Updating information posted around sites or offices (like posters)