COVID-19 Staff Update - ACT Lockdown Restrictions *AMENDED* No images? Click here Please note the amendments highlighted below. IMPORTANT: ACT Lockdown Restrictions *AMENDED* Date: 20 August 2021 To: All ACT Employees From: Barb Reid, Regional CEO - ACT As you will be aware the ACT Government has introduced increased restrictions across Canberra. Lockdown restrictions came into effect from 5:00pm Thursday 12 August 2021 and are in effect until 5:00pm Thursday 2 September 2021. These restrictions are to help slow the spread of the virus and allow contact tracers to do their work. The restrictions will also ensure that we don’t put additional pressure on our health services. What does this mean for me? In accordance with current ACT Government restrictions, the following key advice remains important: The six essential reasons you can leave your home during this lockdown are:
Face masks
Workplace
If you have visited an exposure site, please refer to the information below. Please continue to visit ACT.gov.au/Covid19 website regularly to stay informed of exposure sites within the community. What if I have visited an exposure site? If you have visited an exposure site, please contact the ACT COVID-19 Helpline on (02) 6207 7244 and advise your manager immediately. Close & Casual Contact exposure sitesIf you have been to any of the locations identified as a close contact location at the dates and times specified, you must:
Your leave entitlements: Employees must get tested immediately and must isolate for fourteen (14) days. On the provision of evidence (QR Code/receipt) Calvary will provide fourteen (14) days’ paid COVID-19 leave. Fourteen (14) days self-isolation and a negative test result evidence must be provided to your manager before your return to the workplace. Monitoring Symptoms exposure sites Anyone who has attended a monitoring symptoms exposure site listed by ACT Government and is experiencing symptoms, must seek testing and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Your leave entitlements: if you need to get tested, you can access up to 3 days of COVID-19 leave whilst waiting your test result. Once a negative test result is received you may return to work. If you test positive to COVID-19, you will be able to access your personal leave. If I have symptoms of COVID-19 or if I have contracted COVID-19, what are my leave entitlements? If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are feeling unwell with any or all of the symptoms, you will need to take personal or carers leave. In the event that you have tested positive for COVID-19 you will be entitled to personal or carers leave. If you do not have any personal or carers leave available, other leave options will be considered such as annual or long service leave. Please speak with your manager to discuss options. What if I am exposed to a known case of COVID-19 with no or unknown level of PPE? If you care for a person who is identified to have COVID-19 and you have worn appropriate personal protective equipment you are not required to take any leave. If you have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 (outside of the health care environment) Calvary will provide paid isolation leave for a period of 14 days to allow you to meet the ACT Health Guidelines. Evidence of this exposure will be required. If at the end of the 14 days isolation, you are not experiencing symptoms and you are able to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test, you may return to the workplace. If I need to care for children directed to stay home from school, what leave can I access? If your children have attended any of the schools identified as an exposure location on the dates and times specified they will be required to immediately quarantine. Please visit the FAQs for schools page for additional information. Where an employee is required to care for children, they will be provided with 3 days personal and carers leave, from their existing leave balance, to allow time to make alternate arrangements for the provision of care for their children. Please speak to your manager if further leave is required. If I am required to do travel related quarantine, what leave can I access? If you are required to undertake travel related mandatory quarantine, you may access your annual leave. Should your condition change whilst you are in quarantine, you may access personal and carers leave. Monitor your health - stay at home if unwell COVID-19 presents as a mild illness for approximately 80% of cases, with fever and cough being the most commonly reported symptoms. If you are unwell and are showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19, respiratory illness, gastroenteritis, as below, you should not present to work:
Other symptoms include headache, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath, chills and vomiting. Atypical symptoms of COVID-19 may also occur including chest pain, diarrhoea and conjunctivitis. Who can I contact if I need support? If for whatever reason you are finding this requirement distressing, please discuss your concerns with your manager in the first instance. If you require additional support, please contact our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider at 1300 361 008. Thank you for all that you do for Calvary and the vulnerable people in our care. Founded in 1885 by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, Calvary is a charitable, not-for-profit, Catholic health care organisation. Our mission is to provide quality, compassionate health care to the most vulnerable, including those reaching the end of their life. We are responsible for over 12,000 staff and volunteers, 14 Public and Private Hospitals, 17 Retirement and Aged Care Facilities and a national network of Community Care Centres. |