As of Wednesday, construction sites across Sydney are firing back up, but with a major change. As well as worksites operating at half capacity, tradies living or working in certain areas will only be permitted back on the tools if they have received the COVID vaccine.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that construction workers who work or live in a Local Government Areas (LGA) of concern, will need to meet certain jab requirements before being allowed on the worksite.
The following are deemed LGA’s of concern by the NSW Government: Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and Penrith (select suburbs only).
The move follows a two-week construction shut down amid Western Sydney’s outbreak of the COVID Delta variant.
In order to return to the worksite, workers will need to provide evidence that they have received both doses of the COVID vaccine, at least one dose prior to the 21st of July, or one vaccine dose and a negative Covid-19 test within the last 72 hours.
Medical ExemptionsWorkers with a medical reason can apply for an exemption in place of a COVID vaccine in order to return to work. To do so, your doctor must complete the designated form provided by the NSW Chief Health Officer.
Those re-entering the worksite with a medical exemption must also receive a COVID-19 test every 72 hours.
Getting The VaccineAustralia’s two approved COVID-19 vaccines – AstraZeneca and Pfizer – are both free for all Australians. Even non-residents and those without a Medicare card can access vaccines at state vaccination clinics.
To find out more about your vaccine eligibility and booking in to vaccinated, head online to the NSW COVID-19 vaccine portal.
Evidence of VaccinationWhen onsite, workers will be required to carry evidence of their vaccine, COVID-19 test or medical exemption. This can be in the form of a SMS or email from the testing facility, an online immunisation history statement or digital certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register.
If you possess a medical exemption, evidence of such must be from a medical practitioner as approved by the NSW Chief Health Officer.
Along with the construction industry, the following workers must be COVID vaccinated before returning to work:
All airport workers who carry out work in close proximity to international arrivals – including but not limited to ground handlers, cleaners, customer service agents, baggage handlers, engineers, and security Transport providers to flight crew members from the airport Transport providers to international arrivalsThose in the following industries are required to be vaccinated before they enter or provide services to a quarantine facility:
Quarantine workers Police officers Healthcare staff Australian Defence Force workers Security and courier personnelFull details on the vaccine policy for workers can be found on the NSW Government website, with links to medical exemptions available.