New vaccination requirements for authorised workers to work outside their LGA

27 Aug, 2021, 9:01 pm29 Aug, 2021, 8:15 pm Sarah Mason

Phil Stockman, a plumber from Donnelley Constructions who works at Blacktown Hospital, recently got vaccinated.

NSW Health is announcing changes in requirements for vaccination of authorised workers and the use of rapid antigen testing in the workplace.

In order to work outside their area of concern, authorised workers must now have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday 6 September.

Authorised workers under the age of 16 years will be exempt from the requirement to be vaccinated.

A relevant care worker 16 years and over whose place of residence or place of work is in an area of concern must also have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday 6 September in order to attend work. This includes those who work in an early education and care facility or who provide disability support services.

Rapid antigen testing will no longer be an alternative to vaccination.

NSW Health has made a commitment to provide advice to industry on the important role rapid antigen testing can play to protect workers and prevent disease transmission, and give guidance on the types of workplaces that may benefit from such testing and inform COVID-19 Workplace Checklists and safety work plans.

These are all amendments to the Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak) Order (No 2) Amendment Order 2021.

Vaccination is highly encouraged and workers from the LGAs of concern are offered priority bookings for vaccination. In line with the amended public health order, if an authorised worker is not vaccinated or does not have a medical contraindication form, they will not be able to work outside their LGA.