Now that the COVID-19 Transition (Testing and Isolation) Directions have been revoked, what are my responsibilities?

While the Directions have been revoked, the Town acknowledges our obligation and duty of care to minimise exposure to COVID-19 (and other viruses) as much as possible and therefore request that all workers comply with the following:

• If you are unwell, please remain at home and test for COVID-19
• If you are asymptomatic and have been in close contact with household members and/or intimate partners with COVID-19 during their infectious periods, you are encouraged to test daily for 5 days and only attend work following a negative RAT result. Mask wearing is requested during this time
• Workers who test positive to COVID-19 tests are required to:
  • not attend the workplace until symptoms have completely resolved
  • register RAT results
  • tell your household members and intimate partners that you have tested positive for COVID-19
  • advise you line manager as well as HR via the COVID-19 Notification of Test Results form 
• If you have tested positive to COVID-19, please remain at home to rest and recover, and do not attend work until symptoms have cleared. The infectious period for COVID-19 varies. A minimum of 5 days is a useful guide, but it can be 10 days or longer
• Where required, please follow the advice of your medical practitioner in relation to your medical care
• Please keep in contact with your line manager and ensure they are updated of your situation

Last updated 14-10-2022

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What is a close contact?

Close contact isolation is no longer mandated, but restrictions still apply for high-risk settings.

A close contact is:

• A household or household-like contact, or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 who has had contact with them during their infectious period
• Someone who has had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period, for at least 4 hours where masks were removed by both people

More information on close contacts is available here

Last updated 14-10-2022

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What if I am a close contact with no symptoms?

If you have been in close contact with household members and/or intimate partners with COVID-19 during their infectious periods, you are encouraged to test daily for 5 days and only attend work following a negative RAT result. Mask wearing is also strongly encouraged during this time.

Close contacts with no symptoms can collect free RATs from collection sites in metropolitan and regional WA to help them complete their testing requirements.

Last updated 14-10-2022

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What if I am a close contact with symptoms?

Please remain home and take a test as soon as you can after developing symptoms.

Please stay home while you have symptoms, even if your test result is negative, to protect others from infection.

Last updated 14-10-2022

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What if I test positive to COVID-19?

Employees who test positive to COVID-19 tests are required to:

• Remain at home to rest and recover, and do not attend work until symptoms have cleared. The infectious period for COVID-19 varies. A minimum of 5 days is a useful guide, but it can be 10 days or longer
• Register RAT results
• Tell your household members and intimate partners that you have tested positive for COVID-19
• Advise you line manager as well as HR via the COVID-19 Notification of Test Results form 
• Follow the advice of your medical practitioner in relation to your medical care where required
• Please keep in contact with your line manager and keep them updated with your situation

  Last updated 14-10-2022

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What leave options are available to me if I test positive for COVID-19 or need to care for an immediate family member who has COVID-19?

• If you are able to work, your line manager will discuss options available for you to work from home, should this be possible.
• If remote work is not possible, COVID-19 Leave may be accessed in accordance with the COVID-19 Leave terms and conditions.
• If you are not entitled to COVID leave, or this allocation has been exhausted, employees can access -
  • Existing personal leave entitlements
  • Other leave entitlements i.e. annual or long service leave (if entitled), ADO, TIL, unpaid pandemic leave as per the Award
  • Leave without pay

Last updated 11.3.2024

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I and/or members of my family are feeling anxious about COVID-19. Who can we talk to?

• Employees and their immediate family members can access free confidential counselling support through the Town's Employee Assistance Program by contacting Clear Health Psychology on 08 6424 8177 or [email protected].  
• Additionally, Lifeline and Beyond Blue offer a range of other mental health support services.
• For a mental health emergency, we encourage you to phone the WA Health 24/7 Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) on 1300 555 788, or toll free on 1800 522 002.

Last updated 14-10-2022

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Is it necessary to continue to practice good hygiene measures?

Workers are strongly encouraged to continue to practice healthy hygiene habits including:

• Washing/sanitising hands regularly
• Wearing masks if required, if unwell or id in indoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible
• Testing for COVID-19 if experiencing symptoms
• Staying up to date with vaccinations

Last updated 14-10-2022

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Where can I get the latest health advice?

• Visit the WA Government’s COVID-19 webpage and the HealthyWA website for the latest information and advice on COVID-19 in Western Australia.
• The WA Government has released a Managing COVID-19 booklet. The guide is also available in 12 languages and includes lots of useful information, including how to be prepared for COVID-19, what to do if you or a family member tests positive for COVID-19, the recommended contents of a home COVID-19 kit and what to do if you live alone and test positive to the virus.
• Better Health has this advice for home quarantine and isolation practices, including some great tips on keeping spirits up and how to reduce boredom.
• The Coronavirus Health Information Line can be contacted for advice and guidance on 13 26 843 (WA) and 1800 020 080 (National COVID Hotline)
• The Department of Health has provided some advice for those recovering from COVID-19.

  Most people with COVID-19 will recover completely within a couple of weeks. The DoH advice includes:

  • how to look after your health after the acute infection has resolved 
  • what to do if symptoms persist for an extended period 
  • what to do if you’re exposed to COVID-19 again
  • what to do if you develop COVID-like symptoms again. 
• People diagnosed with COVID-19 and people who are close contacts should refer to the relevant advice available on HealthyWA. 

Last updated 14-10-2022

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I have (or suspect that I have) a condition that makes me more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. What shall I do?

We are aware that some of our workers may be more vulnerable and at a greater risk to the effects of COVID-19.

Specific medical conditions and further information is available through the following link: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/advice-for-people-at-risk-of-coronavirus-covid-19 

In the interests of your health and wellbeing, it is strongly recommended that you advise your line manager if any of these criteria apply to you so that you can discuss and agree on appropriate measures to minimise your risk of exposure while at work.

We appreciate that in some instances, your line manager many not be aware that you have an underlying or chronic health condition - you have a right to privacy and may not want to disclose this information. Please be reassured that any private health information that you disclose will be kept confidential.

If you have any concerns or any other reason to believe that you may be more susceptible to the effects of COVID-19, you are encouraged to discuss this with your General Practitioner so that your line manager can work with any relevant medical guidance provided.

Last updated 14-10-2022

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What is the correct way to wear a mask?

Please click on this link to see a video from the World Health Organisation on how to properly fit your mask to reduce your risk of COVID-19 infection.

Last updated 14-10-2022

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What is the Town doing about COVID-19?

The Town of Bassendean is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and acting on the advice of the WA Government, WA Health, the federal Department of Health, Safe Work Australia, and the Department of Home Affairs.

The Town has completed a Risk Assessment and has developed a COVID-19 Response Implementation Plan which outlines how we will continue to provide a safe and healthy working environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are continuing to follow the WA Government’s advice and implementing these measures in our workplaces.

Last updated 14-10-2022

What if I have a concern or question relating to COVID-19?

Please always approach your line manager in the first instance.

If you identify a risk or a health and safety issue, please complete a Hazard / Health and Safety Issue Report Form (available here or from your line manager or Health and Safety Representative).

The resolution of the issue will be handled in accordance with the Town’s WHS Issue Resolution Procedure (available here or from your line manager or Health and Safety Representative).

Last updated 14-10-2022

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