Queensland Health has added more industries to the critically essential work list, including disability care, aged care and telecommunications.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Yvette D’Ath said workers performing critically essential roles could continue to work if they were a close contact.
“Additional testing requirements have also been added to ensure close contacts who are working are regularly monitored for COVID-19,” Ms D’Ath said.
“These changes mean more clarity for employees and employers on what a critically essential worker is, and what they are able to do,” she said.
Ms D’Ath said a critically essential worker was able to attend the workplace as a close contact only to perform a critically essential role, and when both employer and employee agreed.
“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 six test for close contacts,” she said.
“Employers must provide the Rapid Antigen Test to the employee.”
The Minister said all categories of critically essential workers had been carefully considered and were crucial 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,” she said.
“We have worked with stakeholders, including unions, to find the right balance of keeping Queensland running and keeping Queenslanders safe,” Ms D’Ath said.
