2 April 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

• QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane spoke about the following:
  • Both the Department of Health and Pathology have advised Rapid testkits are of no use to diagnose early cases of COVID-19. They will give you an idea if someone has had the disease for 6-7 days, which is of limited utility. Information on the QRC website.
  • Members need to be aware of which personnel are working in close with other workers, for example in lift cages. If possible, keep shift colleagues the same to ensure that if someone is diagnosed, there is less impact on your business.
  • Please look at QRC website for up-to-date information.
  • Companies must submit their health plans to Qld Health including Central Queensland Health. If you are using interstate FIFO and have not submitted health plans you are in breach.
  • QRC re-iterated that it is company’s responsibility to ensure workers are social distancing, particularly at airports and in public places. This is a significant risk to health, and to industry’s social licence to operate.
  • New rules around interstate FIFO will be implemented on Saturday night at midnight. All applications need to go to Chief Health Officer and be approved. There may be a backlog of approvals. There is likely to be a backlog of approvals for interstate FIFO. QRC suggest companies reposition before midnight Saturday those crucial and statutory workers needed in the next 5 days. In preparation for the CHO application process, companies should immediately begin to compile their list of critical resource workers who FIFO into Qld. Application template is expected later today. State Government is looking to reduce interstate FIFO by 65%; Surveys indicate this will mean a reduction from 1500 to 500 FIFO workers.

• Questions:
  • DIDO concerns. IM response: No changes at this stage.
  • Application form for critical workers – 1 form per company. Form not available yet. Statutory officers names need to be listed. Will still be required to carry a letter evidencing employment and form will be available later today.
  • Queried where to submit management plans. Central Queensland health email address EOC-CQPHU@health.qld.gov.au Some members submitting to other health units which is acceptable.
  • Multiple members moving away from commercial flights to chartered flights; temperature testing before busses and flights; separating staff by FIFO/DIDO and local workforce. Companies have directed FIFO/DIDO workers not to enter township; are wherever possible separating FIFO/DIDO workers from local residential workers & offering opportunities to live locally.
  • Resource companies are looking at charter options including seating arrangements to meet the social distancing requirements. Qantas are implementing social distancing procedures for airside busses used to transfer passengers to/from Dash 8 services parked on outer bays.
  • Rex has re-instated flights. QRC can organise resource pooling between companies – please get in contact.

• Other stakeholders (Local Government; DNRME) joined at 1pm:
  • DNRME update – agreement from Chief Health officer re: process for securing exemptions for critical workers. Direction published on Queensland Health website. As soon as template is available it will be distributed to the peak bodies. Should be in the next few hours.
    • • Gate a) where persons hold a statutory position – template letter on QLD Health website which companies need to put on letterhead with details of  individual, site, etc and sign. There won’t be a process of assessing and approving those letters; but will need a copy of the letter. Individuals also need a copy of the letter either in paper or electronically on their phone. Need to be able to show official/police officer that letter.
      • Gate b) all other critical resource employees – application process. Bulk application from companies with an attachment of names and positions and an explanation of why these positions are critical. Submit to QLD Health; DNRME will have a role in review; QLD Health will issue approvals to individuals and companies. Individual need copy of that approval from QLD Health in paper or on their phone.

                      Companies need to turn their mind to this issue immediately

• • Noted company commitments to reduce FIFO workforce; charter flights; temperature checks; measures to isolate non-local workforce.
  • Dale Last MP has sent correspondence to QLD Health office regarding temperature checks for all flights to Moranbah.

Next meeting

• Monday 6 April 2020 at 12.30pm

Noted company commitments to reduce FIFO workforce; charter flights; temperature checks; measures to isolate non-local workforce.

• • Dale Last MP has sent correspondence to QLD Health office regarding temperature checks for all flights to Moranbah.

Next meeting

• Monday 6 April 2020 at 12.30pm