Sarah Courtney,Minister for Health
Keeping Tasmanians safe and secure is our highest priority as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak in the state’s North West.
The Secretary of the Health Department has communicated with all NW staff today to request that they all be tested for Covid-19 and return a negative test result as a condition of returning to their NW hospital workplace.
I have spoken with the Secretary and she has informed me of her decision to require testing, based on the fact that an outbreak has occurred in a high-risk hospital setting, the number of staff impacted by the outbreak, and to ensure that all reasonably practical steps have been taken to protect the health and safety of returning employees.
Staff will also be required to complete online and on the job training to demonstrate awareness of Covid-19 PPE and hospital zoning protocols.
Staff will be continuously assessed for health at the commencement of each shift, with the reminder that if they have any one symptom of Covid-19, no matter how mild, they must not attend work and must arrange to be tested.
We thank our staff across the North West. This has been a very challenging time for them and their families, but we are committed to providing whatever support we are able to as they return to work.
