New SA rules for close contacts in critical workplaces as school year starts with hybrid system
As some students will learn at home, thousands of people deemed “critical close contacts” are allowed to return to work under new rules. See the industries affected.
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South Australian students will begin the school year with a hybrid model – some face-to-face, some learning from home, Premier Steven Marshall announced on Thursday afternoon.
While full details will be announced on Friday, the Premier said schools will open on January 31 for children of essential workers and vulnerable children.
From February 2, all classes resume – but only face-to-face for reception, year 1, year 7, year 8 students and year 12 students. Other students will resume their classes online on February 2.
The news comes as thousands of asymptomatic close contacts will be able to return to work in South Australia under new directions from South Australia Police.
The new rules, affecting 14 industries, mean anyone considered a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case will be able to undertake work duties to “maintain a function critical to the South Australian community”.
The critical close contact must be separated from the positive Covid-19 case while not at work, be fully vaccinated with a booster shot if eligible, and have undertaken a PCR test before coming to work.
If still awaiting a PCR test result, they are still permitted to return to work so long as they have returned a negative rapid antigen test.
A RAT must be completed before every shift in the seven-day period for which the person is a close contact.
They must quarantine at all times while not on site at work, and if symptoms develop, they must not come to work, and undertake a PCR test immediately.
The critical close contact must not interact with people while on meal breaks, and wear appropriate PPE including an N95 mask if working in a space with vulnerable people.
The workplace is responsible for having risk mitigation plans in place including QR check-ins, vaccination of workers, PPE, appropriately ventilated spaces, physically distancing and the supply of daily RATs for the critical close contacts.
“Work permissions for close contact critical workers should be time limited and regularly reviewed as the pandemic situation in SA evolves and stabilises,” the SA Health document stated.
“Where demand on service decreases to manageable levels, work permissions should be shifted back to standard quarantine requirements.”
The new rules are an extension to those which currently apply for workers in health care, disability and aged care.
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