QRC COVID-19 Working Group member briefings

11 January | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Greater Brisbane Area lockdown and easing restrictions, COVID protocols, appropriate mask usage, social distancing and other hygiene measures.

8 January | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Brisbane quarantine hotel worker who recently tested positive to a new highly contagious strain of COVID-19, the Greater Brisbane Area (GBA) 3-day hard lockdown from 6.00pm on Friday 8 January until 6.00pm Monday 11 January 2021, Qld Health contact tracing, resources industry is still an essential industry.

24 December | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Current restrictions in place, applications for specialist workers in hotspot areas, temperature testing at Brisbane airport.

16 December | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: New COVID cases in NSW, temperature testing at Brisbane airport (BAC), testing space car park, essential workers continuing travel, coordination with Qld Health re: vaccine, Resource Industry Development Plan.

3 December | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Qld COVID cases, border restrictions, COVID testing, airport temperature testing (BAC), COVID vaccine, MSQ update, Budget estimates update.

20 November | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Border Direction #17, Adelaide hotspot and travel, specialist worker exemptions, essential worker travel permits, temperature testing arrangements at Brisbane airport (BAC).

15 October | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: BAC temperature testing space, MSQ crew changes, NSW/QLD bubble area, QRC’s campaign, part 1, 2 and 3, automated specialist worker system, DNRME streamlined system

24 September | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Queensland’s overall COVID position, Central Qld Health turnaround (13.1 hours), Border Directive #14 will be effective from 3pm 28 September, border declaration forms, specialist worker exemptions remain unchanged, applications must come from the company, not the worker or contractor, upcoming changes to quarantine procedures.

17 September | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Restrictions eased in Gold Coast and Darling Downs, Health Directive #15 due in 2 weeks, specialist workers, APPEA/QRC/AMEC report, companies must be mindful of managing fatigue at all times, companies to continue to enforce social distancing, exemption processes, marine safety, an update re: QRC ‘You can count on us’ campaign.

10 September | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: No new cases in CQ for 3 months, COVID test turnaround times, specialist worker exemptions and survey for members, ship crew protocols, QRC temperature testing facilities, QRC’s pre-election media campaign, SSRC Act, DNRME working with Qld Health to streamline exemption application processes.

20 August | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Speculation around further border closures, specialist exemptions, BAC airport testing facility, QRC meeting with the Premier, DNRME update on Directive #11

13 August | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Worker exemptions to border closures, CQ Health testing, charter flights to Moranbah, temperature testing at Brisbane airport (BAC), SA Detmold masks, specialist exemptions

6 August | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Qld Border closure to ACT and NSW as of 1am Saturday 8 August, and a range of scenarios and questions around what these border closures will mean, update on BAC issue, Simon Zanatta from Minister Lynham’s office acknowledged the importance of the sector, DNRME update around potential exemptions for specialist workers.

30 July | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Vanguard Health have joined QRC and are offering services to QRC members, Greater Sydney declared a hotspot, report from member companies around employees and contractors who have been in hotspots, quarantining after being in a hotspot, councils on high alert, no change to protocols with freight drivers, counterfeit masks circulating, DNRME update around transport protocols, discussions with BAC are ongoing.

23 July | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Concerning situation in both NSW and Victoria, companies to be vigilant with their hygiene practices and social distancing, incident with a cargo ship coming into Central Qld from the Philippines, no mandatory code for transportation in vehicles, DES reinstating compliance checks, no Qld border closure as yet, previous critical worker exemption numbers, companies to advise QRC is using temperature testing space in Brisbane airport

16 July | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Border control between Victoria and Qld, shipping crews, border declaration forms and how to access, temperature testing area in Brisbane airport, DNRME Border Restriction Directive 8 update, COVID management plans

9 July | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

2 July | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: upcoming QRC election strategy, avoiding hot spots in Victoria, Brisbane airport temperature testing, saliva testing in Victoria, Biosecurity areas, voluntary shipping codes still being used, border restrictions and requirements for health plans, DRNME updates on guidance.

25 June | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Easing of COVID protocols and guidance document, staff return to work, incoming workers to site, seafarer crews arriving from overseas, lift capacity, remote biosecurity areas, charter flight requirements and other transport arrangements, COVID hot spot declarations, Qld Health site inspections, Qantas update on increased capacity on flights and the FlyWell program.

11 June | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: New map of pathology sites across Qld, advice re: temperature testing, Qantas return to more regular intrastate flight schedule and implications on charter flights and FIFO workers, restrictions in Biosecurity Act areas to lift within next 10 days, company COVID protocols, airport protocols, Qld Health inspections at company sites, interstate worker exemptions, recent rallies and potential impacts.

4 June | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Regional councils requests for return of patronage from resources companies, Qantas return to more regular intrastate flight schedule and implications on charter flights and FIFO workers, BAC encouraging social distancing but not enforcing inside Brisbane terminal, establishment of a QRC guidance group around easing of protocols for members, restrictions in Biosecurity Act areas, disappointing misconceptions around the Blackwater matter, appropriate approvals still need to be in place for interstate travel, pathology lab locations, Isaac Council requested ease of restrictions on worker movements, strategy to be developed by QRC and members to ease worker restrictions.

28 May | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Blackwater fatality and incorrect information, Blackwater clinic, importance of companies continuing hygiene measures, social distancing and testing if feeling unwell, CHO indication of vaccine availability, DNRME exemption notices, temporary environmental authorisations, ship crew changeover issues, working with Brisbane Airport Corporation around pre-flight measures, Qantas’ Fly Well program.

21 May | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Resources Community Infrastructure Fund has been finalised, Industrial manslaughter legislation passed the Queensland Parliament yesterday, Rockhampton aged care worker tested positive for COVID, noted possibility of impact on industry if a cluster develops in Rockhampton, CQ Health reiteration of remaining vigilant, St John’s ambulance test supplies, DNRME update, MSQ update

14 May | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: relaxation of travel restrictions, reshuffle of state politics, recovery and relief measures, Gladstone Industry Leadership Group calendar for shutdowns, critical staff impacts with travel restrictions, Anglo update on Grosvenor incident, possible relationship with RACQ care flight in future

7 May 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: inquiry into recent Moranbah accident likely, supply difficulties, union request re: COVID-19, temperature testing concerns, working collectively as an industry, DNRME update, Mackay Disaster Management Group

30 April 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: maintaining protocols when hot seating, workers camp protocols, feedback for Qantas, close-contact definition, significant reduction in proactive isolation cases, COVID-19 app, flu-shot, Regional Community Infrastructure Fund, DNRME concerns about public transport.

27 April 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: No cases in regional areas away from the coast, no indication around details of relaxation of social-distancing measures for industry, anyone displaying symptoms can now obtain a test, contract tracing for diagnosed cases, close contact definition clarified, Qld Health advice on testing measures, evidence of employment for all travelling staff, camp inspections, ACCC application, DNRME update

23 April 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: no new CQ cases for a week, eligibility criteria for testing mine workers, negative testing before returning to work, contact tracing, close contact definition, Mascot/Sydney airport situation, critical worker exemption process, application to ACCC, charter flights, staged relaxation of conditions, increasing access to small regional businesses without exposure to risk, IT vendors around school equipment

20 April 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: QRC’s FIFO/DIDO/BIBO survey, false positive BHP Blackwater mine worker, maintaining existing protocols, DNRME industry flexibility measures, air services and charter flights availability, Queensland Health confirmation of quarantine requirements, implementation of screening requirements

16 April 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Essential suppliers template letter, FIFO/DIDO/BIBO survey, DES template, BHP Blackwater Mine positive COVID-19 case, accommodation and FBT, charter flights assisting Qld Health staff, cross border permits, assistance with home schooling, CFMMEU on-site temperature testing

6 April 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Smooth start to border restrictions; DNRME staff not working over Easter; issues around biosecurity officer plan approval and police checks for intrastate travel; best practice to have health plan regardless of FIFO status; travel restrictions to/from “hot-spots”; opportunity to provide tablets/laptops to disadvantaged students in member communities through QMEA; Qantas schedule not cut as dramatic as expected; QLD Health to follow close-contact tracing for confirmed cases; return to work procedures; temperature testing at airports; companies exceeding CHO advice to slow spread; DNRME concern about FIFO reliance from NSW

2 April 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Rapid test kits not suitable for early detection; keeping shifts consistent where possible to reduce impact of positive diagnosis; companies must submit health plans to QLD Health; company responsibility to ensure social distancing; new rules around FIFO soon to be implemented; members providing social distancing on transport and on charter flights; REX reinstated flights; bulk application process for securing exemptions

30 March 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: LDMG letter requesting specific requirements; letters sent to mayors around efforts; reminder to send health plans to CQ PHU; WA border closures likely; MCA national protocols; members should make contingency plans regarding border closures; Qantas significant cuts to civilian flights; temperature check all staff before flights; snap inspections of meal areas by police; mayors briefed by members

26 March 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: Imperative to follow protocols regarding social distancing; mayors not convinced enough is being done; request to send through positive images/videos to QRC; QLD border closure protocols finalised; details for completing PHU template; local mayors were briefed; QRC working group established regarding temperature testing; camp protocols

25 March 2020 | QRC COVID-19 Working Group meeting

Discussed: DNRME and QLD Health provided protocols – isolation for symptomatic staff at work; scenarios for managing social distancing; Unions sourcing photos of non-compliance; request to send through positive images/videos to QRC; National protocols released; QLD border closures being finalised; potential changes to FIFO in regions; keep in touch with mayors; Qantas resource sector only flights