Please see below the latest information from the Department of Resources. This bulletin provides resources companies and peak bodies in the resources sector with the latest information on COVID-19 and how it relates to the sector. Dear critical industry colleagues, Thank you for your work keeping Queensland safe during the current Covid-19 outbreak. Today the Queensland Government announced that some critical workers can now provide essential services even while classified as close contacts, provided they meet strict health criteria. Details of current requirements can be found on the Queensland Health website. This change is designed to ensure the continued supply of essential goods and services to the community. The measures are only in place for close contacts who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic.

Please see below the latest information from the Department of Resources. This bulletin provides resources companies and peak bodies in the resources sector with the latest information on COVID-19 and how it relates to the sector. The Queensland Government has brought forward the changes to requirements for vaccinated close contacts of a COVID-19 case that were advised last week. From 1am Wednesday 22 December, vaccinated close contacts will need to quarantine for 7 days and get an immediate PCR test followed by another on day five. If that day five test is negative the person can leave home quarantine on day eight but must observe additional precautions until day 14. This includes wearing a mask when outside their home and they cannot visit high-risk settings including hospitals, residential aged care, disability care accommodation and correctional facilities. Unvaccinated close contacts will need to quarantine for 14 days and get a test immediately and on days 5 and 12. There are additional details on quarantine and testing requirements for vaccinated people who live with an unvaccinated close contact on the Queensland Health website.

Please see below the latest information from the Department of Resources. This bulletin provides resources companies and peak bodies in the resources sector with the latest information on COVID-19 and how it relates to the sector. Face masks will become mandatory in shops and retail centres, hospitals, aged care facilities, public transport and rideshare vehicles across the state from 1am tomorrow (Saturday 18 December). For other indoor settings, masks are not mandatory but are recommended, even where only vaccinated people can attend. Wearing masks will help slow the spread of the virus and allow more people to get their vaccinations, including vulnerable people and healthcare workers who are due to get their third dose. This mandate will be revised once Queensland is 90 per cent fully vaccinated. Support for small business With the incoming mask mandate and hospitality and entertainment businesses now following the Public Health and Social Measures linked to vaccination status Direction, additional information, resources and support is available to businesses.

Formal advice has been received from the Department of Resources and Public Health Directions team regarding the question of wet mess facilities at resources camps.  In broad terms, the “dine in canteens” setting in Schedule 1B of the Public Health and Social Measures linked to vaccination status Direction is not defined, but an approach that considers the public health risks should be considered when deciding if a facility falls within the provision. For example, canteens that cater only to a known cohort and are not open to members of the public would clearly fall within the intended use of the “dine in canteens” setting in Schedule 1B. Venues that cater to workers from multiple sites, and potentially different industries, are likely to have a different risk profile. Based on this, Queensland Health has provided advice on 5 broad scenarios as below:

Please see below the latest information from the Department of Resources. This bulletin provides resources companies and peak bodies in the resources sector with the latest information on COVID-19 and how it relates to the sector. This bulletin provides resources companies and peak bodies in the resources sector with the latest information on COVID-19 and how it relates to the sector. Queensland border restrictions update From 1am AEST Monday 13 December 2021, Border Restriction Direction (No. 56) will be in effect, with Queensland border restrictions easing further following Queensland achieving 80% fully vaccinated. People will be considered fully vaccinated from one week after their second dose. Entering Queensland Anyone entering Queensland from anywhere in Australia must hold a current Queensland entry pass. The type of entry pass and requirements for entry to Queensland will depend on where workers are traveling from, where they have been in the last 14 days, and vaccination status. For resources workers who are fully vaccinated and have not been in a hotspot in the last 14 days, they can enter Queensland with no restrictions and no quarantine requirements.

Members are advised that in relation to the question on mess facilities, the Public Health and Social Measures linked to vaccination status Direction | Queensland Health has been published on the Queensland Health Government website, and comes into effect from 1am Friday 17 December 2021.  For Dine-in canteens such as those in mining camps,  (see Schedule 1B - Unvaccinated persons may enter - other requirements apply to venue), both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff can enter and utilise these facilities.