Rapid antigen Covid-19 tests considered key tool for construction industry after Tasmanian border reopening

Rapid Covid-19 tests will be a key tool in the construction industry in Tasmania once the state’s borders fully reopen to mainland Australia and the world. HOW IT WILL WORK >>

RAPID Covid-19 antigen tests that can return results within 15 minutes are one of the keys to keeping Tasmania’s construction sector ticking over, industry says.

The industry’s worker entitlement fund, Incolink, is helping to roll out the technology to employer members.

The tests can be performed by putting a swab in the mouth, with results appearing rapidly in an easily identifiable format.

Incolink chief executive Erik Locke said as Tasmania prepares to reopen to Australia and the rest of the world on December 15, the industry had to safeguard itself against the impacts of Covid-19.

RAPID COVID TESTS

Mr Locke said Incolink was currently vetting more than 50 rapid antigen test suppliers who had applied for Therapeutic Goods Administration approval.

“These tests have become commonplace overseas and will play an important role here alongside vaccination as we ease out of lockdowns,’’ Mr Locke said.

Kevin Harkins from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, said the tests would help keep worksites and workers safe.

“With Tasmania set to open up the border in December, vaccination and testing will be critical for keeping our workers safe from Covid,” Mr Harkins said.

Master Builders Tasmania chief executive Matthew Pollock said the testing would add an additional layer of security to employers’ Covid safety plans.

“Rapid antigen tests, along with Tasmania reaching its vaccination targets, help ensure that there are no more lockdowns and we can keep our industry open and safe,” he said.

Revealed: Number of unvaxxed Tassie health workers - Tuesday, October 26

ALMOST 10 per cent of the state’s public health workforce has not yet provided evidence of their vaccination against Covid-19 less than a week before the deadline to do so, Parliament has heard.

Health workers are required to show evidence of vaccination by Sunday in order to continue working.

“I can report that in recent days there has been a significant jump in the public health sector providing evidence of vaccination with approximately 90 per cent of our health workforce submitting their proof of vaccination,” Mr Rockliff said.
The figure for staff who have not shown proof of vaccination amounts to around 1300 workers.

Jeremy Rockliff deputy premier and minister for health. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“To those not yet vaccinated, please do not leave it to the eleventh hour.

“New South Wales Health has already reached a 98 per cent vaccination rate for a workforce of over 145 000, which is very encouraging.

“It’s important that they do, because without the evidence you won’t have a job and we cannot be clearer about that.

“It is vitally important that we send that very strong message to our health workforce, which 90 per cent plus, at this stage, are complying with.”

As of 6pm Tuesday night, the updated figure was that 97 per cent of Tasmania’s paid health workforce had provided proof of vaccination.

Labor health spokeswoman Anita Dow asked Mr Rockliff about what the government was planning to do if large numbers of health workers were stood down for failing to comply with the vaccine mandate.

Mr Rockliff said he expected there would be a late rush of workers to register their vaccination status.

“These decisions have to be made in protecting individuals who work at the frontline,” he said.

“The consequences of not providing vaccination status by October 31 is no pay and the commencement of the termination process.”

He said he was satisfied the health system was well prepared for additional cases once the state relaxed border restrictions in mid-December.

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Originally published as Rapid antigen Covid-19 tests considered key tool for construction industry after Tasmanian border reopening