COVID-19 Weekly Update

Making Beer Now Considered ‘Essential’ As More Industries Added To Critically Essential Work List

The Queensland Government’s arrangements for critically essential workers have been expanded, with disability care, aged care, media and telecommunications now declared critical industries.

Workers performing critically essential roles may continue to work if they are a close contact.

Additional testing requirements have also been added, to ensure close contacts who are working are regularly monitored for COVID-19.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said Queensland was the first jurisdiction in the country to establish critically essential worker provisions, to help keep Queensland running.

“These changes mean more clarity for employees and employers on what a critically essential worker is, and what they are able to do,” Minister D’Ath said.

“A critically essential worker is only able to attend the workplace as a close contact to perform a critically essential role, when both employer and employee agree.

“The critically essential worker must have no symptoms of COVID-19, be fully vaccinated and provide a negative Rapid Antigen Test on their first day of work, prior to commencing work, and every second day thereafter while working, including the usual Day 6 test for close contacts.”

Employers must provide the rapid antigen test to the employee.

The definition of critically essential workers has been expanded to:

● included the beverage manufacturing industry

● include telecommunication and broadcasting services

● clarify that paid workers in disability care and aged care are critically essential.

Minister D’Ath said all categories of critically essential workers had been carefully considered, and were vital to keeping Queensland running.

“These measures keep Queenslanders safe, while also ensuring we can continue to keep our supermarkets stocked, power connected to our homes, and our hospitals available to provide free emergency health care to those that need it,” Minister D’Ath said.

“We have worked with stakeholders, including unions, to find the right balance of keeping Queensland running and keeping Queenslanders safe.”

Mackay Region Records First COVID-19 Death

Mackay Hospital and Health Service recorded its first COVID-19 related death earlier this week, reporting it on Monday 24 January.

Queensland health data published showed it was one of 13 COVID-related deaths reported in that 24-hours throughout the state.

It is understood all 13 of those deaths, including the one from the Mackay region, occurred in people over the age of 70.

Restrictions On Vaccinated International Arrivals Ease

Fully vaccinated international arrivals can now enter Queensland without quarantine. The change took effect last weekend from 1am, Saturday, January 22.

The measure was identified in the Queensland Government’s ‘Vaccine Plan to Reunite Families’ once the state reached 90 per cent of its eligible population fully vaccinated.

By opening the border just before the vaccination rate reached 90 per cent, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the move gave businesses and families certainty.

“Providing this date gives businesses and families certainty and time to make their plans.”

Vaccinated international travellers will be required to take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival.

Unvaccinated travellers will still be required to complete 14 days quarantine in a government-nominated facility.

Second-dose rates have slowed in the 18-39 years age group. It is presumed this is because of increasing case numbers in the age group.

Many due for their second vaccinations are presumed to be in isolation as either a positive case or a close contact of a positive case in their households.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said contracting COVID does not affect the time frame for getting a second dose.

“You can get vaccinated as soon as you recover from your COVID symptoms,” the Minister said.

Other Countries Shut Australia Out

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern (left) moved New Zealand back to red in its traffic light COVID-19 response this week

While international border restrictions have eased to international arrivals coming into Queensland, more countries overseas are placing stricter requirements on people from Australia entering their countries as Omicron surges down under.

The European Council took Australia, Argentina and Canada off its travel green list, meaning restrictions on non-essential travel have been enforced, making it considerably harder for Australians to holiday overseas.

Each European country will now make its own rules on entry requirements including isolation or quarantine and testing.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also moved Australia into its highest-risk travel category for COVID-19, advising US citizens not to travel to Australia.

A decision on reopening the quarantine-free travel bubble with New Zealand has also been pushed further back. Earlier this week, New Zealand moved to its ‘red light’ setting after nine cases in the Nelson region were confirmed to have the Omicron strain.

Every region in New Zealand will move to the red setting regardless of whether that area has had a confirmed Omicron case, and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she expected the country would stay in red for "some weeks".

Rapid Antigen Tests Available At Mackay Showgrounds

community members can get a COVID-19 test result faster at the Mackay Showgrounds testing clinic via a rapid antigen test. Photo: Mackay Hospital and Health Service

Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) are now available to eligible community members through Mackay Hospital’s testing clinic at the Mackay Showgrounds.

These tests are limited to eligible people only, which are those who are a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case and who need a negative test on day six to exit quarantine, or essential workers who cannot wait for a PCR result and need to return to work.

Mackay Hospital said the RATs are not available for other people whose employers ask them to them to show they are negative.

If you believe you are eligible for a RAT please call the COVID-19 hotline on 4885 5666 to book your test. When you arrive at the Showgrounds, please tell staff you are there for a RAT.

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