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The Government has now announced lifting of mandated use of masks in public places, mandated vaccinations, removal of the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system), and no longer requires household and close contacts of COVID-19 cases to self-isolate.

What does this mean for your workplace?

• The use of masks is now only compulsory in health care and aged care settings including, pharmacies, primary care, urgent care, hospitals, aged residential care and disability related residential care.
• Employers can no longer receive the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme for employees who are household contacts. This is because household contacts can leave home and go to work.
• Employees who are close contacts (had contact with a person with COVID-19 while infectious) are encouraged to wear a mask when leaving home for the first give days after exposure. Close contacts are also not required to self-isolate or get tested unless they are symptomatic.
• Only people who have COVID-19 must self-isolate for seven days.
• Employers can still apply for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme if an employee gets COVID-19 and is self-isolating.
• Employers can also still apply for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme for employees who were household contacts before 11:59pm on 8 September 2022 up to eight weeks after that employee’s self-isolation period ended.

Message for Employers

If your Health and Safety Management Plan, Temporary Operations Policy or COVID-19 Policy requires compulsory mask use or vaccination, it’s time to review and update these.

Our team can help with any COVID-19 queries.

Disclaimer: We remind you that while this article provides commentary on employment law, health and safety and immigration topics, it should not be used as a substitute for legal or professional advice for specific situations. Please seek legal advice from your lawyer for any questions specific to your workplace.