Working with Stage 4 COVID 19 In Victoria
AS stage 4 COVID 19 restrictions are now in place, what does the mean for you and work?
When do I have to wear a face covering?
- Unless an exception applies, if you live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire you must wear a face covering when you leave your home for one of the four reasons: shopping for food and supplies, recreation or exercise, medical care and caregiving, and study or work – if you can’t do it from home.
Specifics for Work
Do I need to wear a face covering at my place of work or my desk even if I am 1.5 metres away from others?
- Yes, if you live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire you must wear a face covering when you leave your home for one of the four reasons, which includes working, unless an exception applies.
- If you work in an enclosed office on your own, you don’t have to wear a mask while at your desk. If someone enters your space and when you leave it, you need to wear a mask.
Do I need to wear a face covering at home if I work from home and it is currently considered my workplace?
- If you are working from home, you do not need to wear a face covering, unless you are caring for someone at home who has coronavirus (COVID-19).
As an employer, do I need to require my staff to wear face coverings?
- Yes, you are required to ensure your employees wear face coverings if they are working, unless an exception applies.
I work in a call centre, do I need to wear a face covering when I am speaking with people on the telephone?
- Yes. Due to the number of people who work closely together in call centres, these workplaces represent a risk for transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Do construction workers have to wear a face covering?
- Yes. Construction workers will have to wear a face covering unless they meet any of the criteria for exception such as a medical condition or if wearing a face covering creates a risk to the person related to their work, as determined through OH&S guidelines.
Can I take my face covering off when eating or drinking?
- Yes. You can take your face covering off when eating or drinking. You should maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres and practise good hygiene.
- Eating and drinking should not be used as an excuse not to wear a face covering. You must use common sense and wear a face covering at all times possible.
Do I need to wear a face covering when I am driving?
- If you are driving alone or only travelling with people from your household, you do not need to wear a face covering. You should put your face covering on before you leave your vehicle or if you wind down the window to talk to someone.
- If you are driving with people for work or people you don’t live with then you must wear a face covering.
The full details can be found at this LINK.
Some of our clients, during the stage 4 lockdown are permitted to work, if you are working with these clients, we will provide you with a “work permit”.
Each employee required to be on site must receive an individual worker permit with the required details.
We will:
- Issue you with a signed worker permit, with details of where you are working, and shift hours. You can either print this out or keep a digital copy.
Employees must carry the worker permit and should carry photo identification when travelling to and from the workplace.
A worker permit can be shown electronically to authorities such as a photo, or scanned copy, on a mobile device.
COVID Safe plan
- As of midnight Wednesday 5th August 2020, businesses that are permitted to remain open must have a COVID safe plan in place. Our clients have COVID Safe plans in place.
- COVID Safe plans are in place to help prevent the introduction of COVID-19 in the workplace. This will help to continue to protect our people, our families, customers, visitors and the business’ as a whole.
- COVID safe confirm the level of PPE that is required, including:
- Face coverings,
- Hand sanitizer/hand hygiene practices,
- Disinfectant wipes, and
- the use of gloves if necessary.
- COVID Safe plans detail how we and our clients are prepared for, and will respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace.
- COVID safe plans are available for review.
AS stage 4 COVID 19 restrictions are now in place, what does the mean for you and work?
When do I have to wear a face covering?
- Unless an exception applies, if you live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire you must wear a face covering when you leave your home for one of the four reasons: shopping for food and supplies, recreation or exercise, medical care and caregiving, and study or work – if you can’t do it from home.
Specifics for Work
Do I need to wear a face covering at my place of work or my desk even if I am 1.5 metres away from others?
- Yes, if you live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire you must wear a face covering when you leave your home for one of the four reasons, which includes working, unless an exception applies.
- If you work in an enclosed office on your own, you don’t have to wear a mask while at your desk. If someone enters your space and when you leave it, you need to wear a mask.
Do I need to wear a face covering at home if I work from home and it is currently considered my workplace?
- If you are working from home, you do not need to wear a face covering, unless you are caring for someone at home who has coronavirus (COVID-19).
As an employer, do I need to require my staff to wear face coverings?
- Yes, you are required to ensure your employees wear face coverings if they are working, unless an exception applies.
I work in a call centre, do I need to wear a face covering when I am speaking with people on the telephone?
- Yes. Due to the number of people who work closely together in call centres, these workplaces represent a risk for transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Do construction workers have to wear a face covering?
- Yes. Construction workers will have to wear a face covering unless they meet any of the criteria for exception such as a medical condition or if wearing a face covering creates a risk to the person related to their work, as determined through OH&S guidelines.
Can I take my face covering off when eating or drinking?
- Yes. You can take your face covering off when eating or drinking. You should maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres and practise good hygiene.
- Eating and drinking should not be used as an excuse not to wear a face covering. You must use common sense and wear a face covering at all times possible.
Do I need to wear a face covering when I am driving?
- If you are driving alone or only travelling with people from your household, you do not need to wear a face covering. You should put your face covering on before you leave your vehicle or if you wind down the window to talk to someone.
- If you are driving with people for work or people you don’t live with then you must wear a face covering.
The full details can be found at this LINK
Some of our clients, during the stage 4 lockdown are permitted to work, if you are working with these clients, we will provide you with a “work permit”
Each employee required to be on site must receive an individual worker permit with the required details.
We will:
Issue you with a signed worker permit, with details of where you are working, and shift hours.
You can either print this out or keep a digital copy.
Employees must carry the worker permit and should carry photo identification when travelling to and from the workplace.
A worker permit can be shown electronically to authorities such as a photo, or scanned copy, on a mobile device
COVID Safe plan
- As of midnight Wednesday 5th August 2020, businesses that are permitted to remain open must have a COVID safe plan in place. Our clients have COVID Safe plans in place.
- COVID Safe plans are in place to help prevent the introduction of COVID-19 in the workplace. This will help to continue to protect our people, our families, customers, visitors and the business’ as a whole.
- COVID safe confirm the level of PPE that is required, including: Face coverings, Hand sanitizer/hand hygiene practices, and Disinfectant wipes, and the use of gloves if necessary.
- COVID Safe plans detail how we and our clients are prepared for, and will respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace.
COVID safe plans are available for review.
