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Workplace and higher risk settings
Some people are at higher risk from severe illness from COVID-19, including older people and those in aged care, disability, and health care settings or those with chronic disease.
Advice for regular workplaces
To comply with the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading in the workplace, it is important for employers to do a COVID-19 risk assessment and put controls in place.
As with all workplace hazards, employers must understand the current level of risk, have reasonable controls in place to manage the risk, and a system to maintain and adjust those controls as the risk and risk level in Tasmania changes.
Some businesses may require staff and visitors to adhere to certain measures, including the requirement to wear face masks as part of their workplace health and safety practices.
Please be respectful of these requirements and carry a face mask with you in case you need to wear one.
For more information, see Tasmanian Public Health guidance: Best Practice COVID-19 Safety for Employers
Visit the WorkSafe Tasmania website for information, templates and checklists to help conduct your risk assessment and implement appropriate measures.
Working with people at higher risk
There are special measures in place for people who test positive for COVID-19 and work with people at higher risk of severe disease.
For example, if you work in a high risk setting (hospitals, aged care and disability facilities) or provide in-home care aged or disability services you should not attend your work premises or come into direct contact with a person at high risk for seven days after you tested positive for COVID-19.
You may also be required wear a mask for up to 10 days when you do return to work.
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.
Check your workplace policy or visit the WorkSafe Tasmania website for more information.
If the person with disability is an NDIS participant, they can contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 if they need to make changes to their plan or are having trouble sourcing services due to COVID-19.
Support can return to normal once the person who tested positive to COVID-19 is no longer symptomatic but additional precautions should continue for up to 10 days.
See Outbreaks in a Disability Residential Supported Independent Living (SIL) Setting for information on if a resident or support worker in a SIL setting tests positive to COVID-19.
Advice for high risk settings
High-risk settings are those where:
- there are likely to be people who have a higher chance of severe illness from COVID-19.
- COVID-19 may spread quickly.
- management of outbreaks may be particularly complex.
- large outbreaks may cause disruption to essential services.
High risk settings are:
- hospitals
- residential aged care facilities
- disability residential facilities.
Public health best practice guidance high risk and priority settings
For more information view Best practice guidance high risk and priority settings.
Visiting high risk settings
In Tasmania, visits to high risk settings, are important for families, friends and people providing care and support. Individual sites and facilities may have in place special processes and procedures.
This may include requiring that visitors:
- complete entry screening
- undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) before entering
- wear a face mask at all times while they remain on the premises
- are vaccinated for COVID-19 and/or flu.
Who should not visit a high risk setting?
To protect those at a higher risk of severe disease there are circumstances in which individuals should not enter a high risk setting.
These include anyone who:
- has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last seven days
- has been exposed to a case of COVID-19 in the past 7 days
- has symptoms of COVID 19 (runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever) even if their COVID test is negative.
In some exceptional circumstances, for example for end-of-life care, people who have recently been diagnosed with COVID 19 or are close contacts, may be granted access after discussion with the facility management, if certain conditions are met.
Find out more about best practice for COVID-19 in high risk settings
Where to find more information
Senior Australians, their families and carers can call the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) Older Australians COVID-19 Support Line on 1800 700 600.
