This is an update for the resources industry regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the sector, including Government responses to the pandemic.
Please keep up to date with the latest COVID-19 information. It’s best to source information from verified Government websites such as Federal Government website and Queensland Health website.
If you’re unsure if you or employees are experiencing symptoms there is a quiz you can take here.
27 January | QRC COVID-19 Working Group briefing
Ian Macfarlane and representatives from DoR provided an update to the QRC Covid-19 Working Group as follows (actions in bold): There are no significant changes to report this week. As expected, positive case numbers are continuing to rise across the State. A total of 238 and 274 positive cases from PCR tests have been reported in Rockhampton and Mackay PHUs respectively today. Reported numbers may be understated as RAT’s test results are contained in a full state database and not included in these numbers. There is no indication of when more Rapid Antigen tests will be available as yet. Members attention was drawn to the recent negative news article by CFMEU regarding the Resources industry’s management of the current crisis. QRC has released a statement in response and has subsequently had a discussion with CFMEU Steve Smyth to discuss further. It was noted that the PHUs have been very complimentary regarding the industry’s handling of the crisis to date. DoR also congratulated members on the management of the crisis under difficult and testing circumstances. A review of the procedure to remove resource workers who test positive whilst on site is currently being undertaken by DoR and QH and will be distributed once it is finalised.
25 January | Update from Department of Resources
The recently introduced Critically Essential Role Direction means a resources industry employer can ask workers, who are considered close contacts and are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, to leave quarantine to work in a critically essential role. Employers who need to engage this measure are required to undertake a self-assessment process to identify which roles within their organisation are critical to the continuation of services, and then notify Queensland Health.
20 January | QRC COVID-19 Working Group briefing
Ian Macfarlane and representatives from DoR provided an update to the QRC Covid-19 Working Group as follows (actions in bold): There are no significant changes to report this week. As expected, positive case numbers are continuing to rise across the State. A total of 238 and 274 positive cases from PCR tests have been reported in Rockhampton and Mackay PHUs respectively today. Reported numbers may be understated as RAT’s test results are contained in a full state database and not included in these numbers. There is no indication of when more Rapid Antigen tests will be available as yet. Members attention was drawn to the recent negative news article by CFMEU regarding the Resources industry’s management of the current crisis. QRC has released a statement in response and has subsequently had a discussion with CFMEU Steve Smyth to discuss further. It was noted that the PHUs have been very complimentary regarding the industry’s handling of the crisis to date. DoR also congratulated members on the management of the crisis under difficult and testing circumstances. A review of the procedure to remove resource workers who test positive whilst on site is currently being undertaken by DoR and QH and will be distributed once it is finalised.
11 January | Update from Department of Resources
On 9 January 2022 the Queensland Government announced that some workers who work within a narrow range of critical industries can now provide essential services, provided they meet strict health criteria. Resources has been identified as a critical industry.
10 January | Minister Scott Stewart briefing and Close Contacts – Critically Essential Workers
Further to the Department of Resources (DoR) Update circulated to members last night outlining exemptions from quarantine to attend work for Critically Essential Workers, QRC has today had a further discussion with the DoR regarding the final criteria relating to defining a Critically Essential Worker in the resources sector.
10 January | Update from Department of Resources
Please find below a class exemption from Dr Lynne McKinlay, Queensland Deputy Chief Health Officer, Queensland Health for the movement of diagnosed cases and close contacts from Queensland.