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Getting workplaces ready for COVID-19

Coronavirus – March 2020 (PDF version)

The PSA is attempting to review with NSW Health and the Premier’s Department an update to a memorandum of understanding for pandemic influenza that provides an agreed range of industrial relations tools to assist keeping the public sector functioning, but also utilising extra special leave to assist in isolation, recovery and caring for family, public sector mobility and flexible work arrangements such as working from home or through technology.

The ACTU has released an information kit on the virus. You can read it HERE.

The World Health Organisation has also published advice on how to get your workplace ready for COVID-19.

It includes tips such as:

• Making sure workplaces are CLEAN AND HYGIENIC
• Promoting regular, thorough HAND-WASHING by employees, contractors and customers
• Promoting GOOD RESPIRATORY HYGIENE in the workplace
• Advising people to CONSULT TRAVEL ADVISORIES before business trips
• For places where COVID-19 is spreading in the community, asking people to STAY HOME FROM WORK if they have symptoms, even if they’re just a MILD COUGH, LOW-GRADE FEVER (37.3 degrees Celsius or more) or if they have taken medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, because these can mask symptoms

“Employers should start doing these things now, even if COVID-19 has not arrived in the communities where they operate,” the document says.

Read more HERE.

Visit NSW Health for latest updates.