NSW OUTBREAK ‘EMBERS’ HIT VICTORIA

“THE BEST WAY TO KEEP YOUR SITE OPEN IS TO KEEP THIS VIRUS OUT!”

(Peter Parkinson, Chair Building and Construction Industry COVID-19 Taskforce)

The new and highly transmissible DELTA strain of Coronavirus is currently sweeping through Greater Sydney and other regions of NSW.

As a result, the Victorian government has declared all of NSW a ‘Red’ Travel Zone and closed the border from midnight 11 July. All returning Victorians must now quarantine for 14 days.

It was reported late yesterday that returning Melbourne family members had tested positive and again, Victoria has public exposure sites.

This is what you must do now..

• Update and enforce pre start declarations for attending public exposure sites, including for household members
• Ensure that the site’s workplace mapping systems are up to date and ensure and all personnel scan the Service Vic QR Code
• Ensure Density Quotients, Physical distancing and Cleaning/Hygiene standards are in place

There were two major lessons learned during the recent outbreak on site in Queen St Melbourne.

Firstly, household members of workers who have been at public exposure sites are also at risk and secondly, each employer must be able to access their workplace mapping information (whether electronic or paper) in order for Department of Health to immediately commence contact tracing. It is imperative that we keep COVID-19 off our building and construction sites.

Accordingly, you are urged to strengthen and enforce your pre-start declarations in relation to any worker that has been to any declared public exposure sites and now, for any worker living with a household member who has been to a public exposure site.

We recommend that any worker in this situation NOT attend work until a negative COVID-19 test result has been obtained.

Authorised by the Industry Liaison Officer, Michael Paynter on behalf of the Industry COVID-19 Taskforce

Download a copy of the announcement here