Confused about COVID 19 Regulations? Here’s the latest.

As workers begin to head back into the office after the Christmas holidays, a new wave of COVID-19 infections has spurred more changes to the rules. These can be hard to keep up with. Here are some of the latest changes, as of 17 January 2022.

An amendment to Public Health Orders came into force on 12 January 2022. One of the key changes is a new requirement for employers and businesses to notify SafeWork NSW of COVID-19 cases in the workplace.

Anybody who falls under the category of ‘person conducting a business or undertaking’ must notify SafeWork NSW within 24 hours of becoming aware that a worker has been diagnosed with COVID-19. This requirement only applies if the worker:

1.     Contracted, or is likely to have contracted COVID-19 at the workplace, or

2.     Attended the workplace while infected.

“Workplace” for these purposes does not include a person’s residence, if that person works from home.

‘Person conducting a business or undertaking’ (PCBU) is a broad definition encompassing not just public and private companies, but also sole traders, cooperatives, partnerships, schools and universities, among others. 

Face Masks in the Workplace

Since 24 December 2021, regulations have been in place requiring all people in NSW over the age of 12 to wear a facemask in indoor settings. This includes the workplace.

A face mask may be removed at work where it is required to be removed for communication purposes or due to the nature of work being performed, or where there is no other person in the area. As soon as the reason for removing the facemask has ended, it must be put back on.

Penalties for breaching public health orders apply to both businesses and individuals and can include fines of up to $11,000 for individuals and $55,000 for businesses (with additional penalties for each day the breach continues) or imprisonment for up to six months.

At Voice Lawyers, we are here to help you navigate these tricky times. Please give us a call on (02) 9261 1954 or email voice@voicelawyers.com for assistance with your workplace matters.