COVID-19 2022 Update (07 Jan 2022)

Dear Colleagues,

Firstly, I wanted to thank everyone for your continued hard work, particularly those who worked during the holiday period, your efforts are very much appreciated.

As we adjust to living with COVID, the health and safety of the Tasmanian State Service workforce remains paramount.  The evidence shows that while the Omicron strain is highly transmissible, the effects are generally much milder and less severe. This means that many people with COVID-19 are not symptomatic, and are in good health, and the majority of those who are symptomatic are capable of caring for themselves at home.

With positive COVID case numbers rising, it is critical that we all understand how to best manage COVID-related situations, especially if you or a close contact test positive.

Getting a COVID test

If you are symptomatic, do not come into the workplace – if you have symptoms but feel well, you can work from home if your duties make this possible and your manager approves the arrangement. If you can’t work from home, speak to your manager. If you feel unwell then take personal (sick) leave.

Anyone who is symptomatic or a close contact of a COVID-19 case should collect a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) in the first instance. You can do this from 8am to 4pm daily without an appointment at:

• the Silverdome in Launceston;
• the Police Academy in Rokeby;
• the MyState Arena in Glenorchy;
• the Sports and Leisure Centre in Ulverstone (until 4pm today, Monday 10 January) or
• the Dial Regional Sports Complex in Penguin  (Tuesday 11 January to Friday 14 January)

If you can’t collect a RAT test from one of the above sites (for example if you live in a rural area) then please contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to arrange to collect a RAT from another location or to book a PCR test at a Testing Clinic.

Importantly, if you are unable to have a RAT test, PCR testing is still available and these are not stopping.  Bookings for PCR tests in State Clinics are also available online and I encourage you to book online as much as possible.

Close contact definition

Please ensure you know what constitutes a close contact. You are not automatically a close contact because you share a workplace with someone who is COVID positive. Information on what a close contact is can be found here: https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/keeping-yourself-safe/contact-tracing/types-of-contacts#Close-contacts-explained.

Registering your test result

I can confirm that following last week’s National Cabinet decision to change testing requirements, a positive RAT will be considered as a confirmed COVID-19 case and be subject to the same requirements as cases verified by a PCR test.

If you test positive on a RAT, you must register your test result, preferably online through the following link www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/covid-care, or through the Public Health Hotline.  This will ensure you can access assistance from Public Health Services and the COVID@home team during your illness, if required.

Proof of registration of a positive result will also be used to support leave applications. Anyone who registers a positive RAT result will receive the same support and care as if they had tested positive on a PCR test, as long as they have registered their positive RAT allowing for identification and recording of the case.

Vaccination status

I would like to take this opportunity to remind anyone who is subject to mandatory evidence of vaccination in their agency to confirm their vaccination status if you have not done so already.  I would also strongly encourage everyone to book their vaccination booster shots, and to continue to follow Public Health advice and engage in COVID safe behaviours such as social distancing, regularly washing and sanitising your hands, using the Check-in Tas app and wearing your mask in indoor settings.

Support

As we all know, the Omicron strain is now prevalent in Tasmania, but we were expecting these numbers and we are well prepared to continue our work together for the Government and for all Tasmanians.

I acknowledge there will be a level of uncertainty around the changes outlined above that were agreed by National Cabinet and concern about the spread of COVID-19 in our State. Please remember our EAP service is available to you, and your family should you require it. I also encourage you to reach out to Lifeline (13 11 14) or any other service that provides support and counselling if living with COVID-19 in our community causes you concern or stress. Please also talk to your manager in relation to any workplace uncertainty.

Best wishes