Managing COVID-19 in workplaces

If you own or operate a business, you should review your continuity plans and think about ways you can mitigate risks associated with COVID-19.

Self-imposed restrictions for businesses and venues

If you operate a business or venue in Queensland, you can self-impose rules for patrons and staff and decide to refuse entry to an unvaccinated person. This is not mandated and is the responsibility of the business or venue owner or operator.

Business owners are encouraged to seek their own legal advice if they choose to self-impose rules.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has released detailed advice for employers about mandated vaccinations for workers. This information can be found at Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws.

Preparing for COVID-19 in the workplace

You should consider how your business will continue to operate if staff contract COVID-19.

Consider safety measures such as:

• screening staff, contractors, customers and other visitors to the workplace for COVID-19 symptoms
• keeping accurate and up-to-date employee timesheets and records of attendance at the workplace, such as through a virtual or physical sign-in
• maintaining up-to-date contact details for employees, so you can let them know to watch out for symptoms if a colleague gets COVID-19.

When a staff member gets COVID-19

When a staff member gets COVID-19, they should isolate. Find out more about what a staff member needs to do if they get COVID-19.

Workers who are close contacts should follow the instructions based on whether they have symptoms or not.

Workplace cleaning

As soon as you become aware that someone with COVID-19 has attended your workplace, you should perform a routine clean with standard household cleaning products. A deep clean is not necessary.

You may need to close temporarily to do so, but most businesses will only need to close for a short time.

Encourage vaccination in the workplace

A vaccinated person is far less likely to get seriously ill if they contract the virus, and they’re less likely to transmit COVID-19 to others.

This is particularly important for vulnerable people in the workplace, including those with underlying medical conditions or with unvaccinated family members.

Some businesses have already implemented vaccination mandates to protect their staff and customers. Fair Work Australia provides a range of guidance documents for employers seeking national advice on COVID-19 and Australian workplace laws.

Workers and QAS officers entering high-risk settings

If you work in a high-risk setting and have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you should only return to your workplace if:

• at least 5 days have passed since you received a positive COVID-19 test result and
• your acute respiratory symptoms and fever have resolved, apart from mild residual symptoms such as a mild dry cough and
• you comply with any additional infection control procedures required by your employer.

If you have tested positive to COVID-19 and work in a high-risk setting, you should work from home where practicable. You should talk to your employer to discuss options available to you and any additional measures to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 transmission in your workplace.