COVID-19 Mandates - Where Are We Now?

It feels like we have talked of little else for the last 2 and a half years and all of a sudden, the focus has shifted and changes slip through unnoticed and keeping up with the rules seems less all consuming.  So what restrictions are still in place and what do businesses need to be thinking about?

Vaccination requirements

Mandatory vaccination requirements have significantly reduced. Health service employees and workers in aged care and disability care are the last remaining groups which are required by the Queensland Government to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Now that the majority of the public heath directions around vaccination requirements have ended, businesses need to consider if they want to continue making vaccination compulsory in their workplace.  There is a range of risks employers need to consider if they do want to make vaccination mandatory now that the legally enforceable public health directions have mostly ended.  Employers need to consider their work health and safety obligations, discrimination law as well as contractual arrangements.  We recommend any business that is no longer subject to a public health direction but wants to continue enforcing a mandatory vaccination policy seeks legal advice. 

Travel

There are no domestic border restrictions for people entering Queensland from other parts of Australia.  There are no restrictions related to international travel.

Masks

Masks are no longer required on domestic flights, on public transports or in taxis.

Masks are still required inside in:

• residential aged care facilities
• shared disability accommodation services
• hospitals
• healthcare settings where face-to-face services are provided
• corrective services facilities
• detention centres

You are also still required to wear a mask if you have:

• A temperature
• COVID-19
• COVID-19 symptoms
• You’re awaiting a COVID-19 test result
• Been made aware that you are a close contact

If you’ve had COVID-19, you also need to wear a mask for 5 days after your isolation period ends.

Employer obligations

Employers should encourage staff who have returned to work following a period of isolation to wear a mask.  Staff with symptoms should take personal leave if they are too unwell to work.  If they are well enough to work, consider allowing them to work from home until they are well to reduce the risk of illness spreading.  If working from home is not an option, employers should ensure they take steps to manage the risk of illness being transmitted to others.

Isolation

After testing positive to COVID-19, a person is required to isolate for 5 days.  A person can leave isolation after that time if they have no symptoms and don’t work in aged care, disability care or home care.

If you have any employment related questions please contact our workplace relations team.