The NSW and ACT Governments have announced a significant easing of COVID related restrictions.
Australia Post and the CEPU have engaged in consultation surrounding how those changes translate to changes in COVID measures currently in place across our workplaces.
The following changes will be introduced in NSW from the commencements of the first shifts this Friday, 25 February. The ACT will follow, introducing the change from 6pm the same day:
Masks
- Masks will no longer be mandatory in the workplace.
- Members who wish to continue wearing a mask will be free to do so.
- Masks will be strongly encouraged in any instance where you cannot maintain 1.5m of physical distance from other employees. For example, if you’re working closely with others in the back of a loose loading trailer.
QR code check-ins
- QR code check-ins on site will no longer be required. QR code signage will be taken down and stored away in case there is a requirement to reintroduce them at a later stage.
Density limits
- Density limits will no longer apply. However, members are reminded to keep 1.5m distance from others in meeting rooms and where possible within the workplace.
Zoning
- Zoning will be reviewed, and will be wound back to a level that enables better service and connection between employees.
- As zones are removed and aligned with others, portable toilets that were required with the previous zones in place will also be removed.
- Separate lunchrooms, or in some cases, staggered breaks, will be retained to provide sufficient space for physical distancing while eating and drinking.
Smart Badges
- For facilities in NSW with smart badges, these will continue to be worn, primarily as a reminder to keep 1.5m apart. Wearing these will ensure management can quickly and accurately undertake contract tracing should this be required for a suspected COVID case or cluster in the workplace.
- These arrangements will be further reviewed again in two weeks.
Retail specific
Whilst the requirements to wear masks will no longer be mandatory from commencement on 25 February in NSW, and from 6pm onwards in the ACT, the following COVID-safe measures will remain:
- Ongoing review of COVID related signage in store
- COVID Screens up and installed correctly
- Social distancing markers in store
- Social distancing maintained where operationally possible
- Contactless delivery and dispatch of Mail and Parcel product
- Regular scheduled high touch point cleans
- Staggered break times for lunches
- Sanitiser to remain available for customers and staff
- Continue to follow your network’s COVID Safe Plan
We know the changes will be a welcome return to some sort of normality for many of our members across Australia Post workplaces. However, it is important that members remember that although the Omicron surge appears to have peaked, the virus is still being transmitted widely across our communities.
As such, members are reminded to practice good hygiene and to maintain physical distancing wherever it is possible to do so, whilst in the workplace.
Importantly, if you experience any cold or flu-like symptoms, do not attend work.
Should you require any further information, advice or assistance with any of the above, please contact Branch Assistant Secretary Peter Chaloner or Branch Officials Cade Anderson, Phil Kessey, TK Ly, Liam Murphy, Peter O’Connell, Giselle Saba, Dharmpal Singh or Dennis Williams on (02) 9893 7822.
Yours faithfully,
SHANE MURPHY
BRANCH SECRETARY
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