COVID-19 update: New testing and isolation rules | What to do if you test positive | Leave provisions

Distribution date: 13 January 2022

Important - COVIDSafe update

The current COVID-19 environment has seen another shift in the way we work and live day-to-day, with health advice and information being updated regularly to help keep us safe. Our reinstated COVID-19 Taskforce is working hard to update you as quickly possible but we recommend you also frequently visit NSW Health for the latest guidelines and reach out to your People & Culture Business Partner if you need additional support.

Key actions to keep you safe

  • Continue working from home if possible
  • Book in to get your COVID-19 booster if your second dose was 4 or more months ago (Transport is providing a support payment to attend your booster vaccination appointment)
  • Report confirmed cases, including positive RAT results to your leader and follow NSW Health guidelines on self-isolation
  • If you have tested positive on a rapid antigen test (RAT), register your result in the Service NSW app or website.

New testing and self-isolation rules

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms, you should take a rapid antigen test (RAT) and register any positive result via the Service NSW app or website. For more information on testing, visit NSW Health - Getting tested for COVID-19.

You should only get a PCR test if you are:

  • More than 20 weeks pregnant
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
  • Unvaccinated aged 16 and over
  • Immunosuppressed
  • A worker, resident, patient, or client in a high risk setting where there is no confirmed outbreak
  • Asked by a registered medical practitioner, such as your GP, doctor or specialist

What to do if you get a positive PCR or RAT:

  • Follow the current NSW Health guidelines for people testing positive to COVID-19. This includes self-isolating at home for 7 days from the date you got tested.
  • If you tested positive via a RAT and have no symptoms and are not a close contact, NSW Health recommends taking another RAT after 24 hours or having a PCR test. If your second RAT test is positive, you are considered a confirmed case.
  • Contact your line manager as soon as possible. If your line manager is unavailable, contact Transport Shared Services on 133 877.
  • Register your positive RAT result via the Service NSW app or website. From 19 January 2022, failure to register a confirmed case may result in a $1000 fine.
  • Mangers should follow the procedure for managing and reporting confirmed cases.

Further advice for confirmed cases and managing COVID-19 from home can be found here.

Who needs to self-isolate?

  • If you are a confirmed case, you must self-isolate for 7 days from the date you got tested.
  • If you live with someone who has COVID-19 (e.g. you're a household contact), you must self-isolate for 7 days from the last day you were in contact with the COVID-positive person.

Note: If you live with someone who has COVID-19 (e.g. you’re a household contact) but have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and it is no more than 28 days since your period of self-isolation ended, you do not need to self-isolate.

Other circumstances where you should self-isolate for 7 days:

  • If you spent a long time with someone who has COVID-19 (e.g. you stayed overnight at their house or spent the evening indoors at the house)
  • If you interacted closely with someone who has COVID-19 and were not wearing masks (e.g. you drove a long distance together, or looked after children who are now positive.)

You may also be advised by NSW Health to self-isolate. Please refer to NSW Health Information for people exposed to COVID-19 for more details.

If you manage someone who is required to self-isolate as a result of exposure to COVID-19 either at or outside the workplace, you must fill out the self-isolation reporting form.

Leave available

  • If you are a confirmed case, take sick leave with appropriate evidence. This may include proof of your positive PCR or rapid antigen test (such as an email from Service NSW) or certification from a medical professional. Workers’ compensation may also be available – further advice will be provided on this shortly.
  • If you remain well while being a confirmed case, you may elect to work for home if you are able to.
  • If you are required to self-isolate because your exposure to COVID-19 has been identified as high risk, as per the NSW Health guidelines, and you are unable to work from home, you can apply for special leave with appropriate evidence. Managers are asked to explore all options for work that could be done at home prior to approving leave. Managers can approve up to 20 days leave, after which Role 60 can approve additional leave.
  • Refer to What leave, when? for more info.

Latest FAQs

I have symptoms and/or have been identified as a close contact, but have not been able to obtain a RAT test, what should I do?

If you are experiencing symptoms, and/or you have been identified as a close contact you should be tested as soon as possible. If you are unable to access a RAT test, you should seek a PCR test at a COVID-19 testing clinic and follow the relevant isolation advice. For more information, visit NSW Health - getting tested for COVID-19.

I’m a household contact and/or classified as having high risk exposure but got a negative rapid antigen test result, what should I do?

If you are a household contact or classified as having a high risk exposure, you need to continue to isolate for 7 days. You must follow the advice for people exposed to COVID-19 to determine your risk. To determine if you are a high risk exposure, use the Information for people exposed to COVID-19 and follow the relevant isolation advice.

I was a confirmed COVID-19 case during my annual leave – can I change this to sick leave?

If you are a confirmed case while on annual leave, you can have your annual leave re-credited and can apply for sick leave with appropriate evidence. In applicable circumstances, annual leave can be re-credited for special leave.

Are we still planning to return to the office from 7 February?

As the current COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, we continue to assess the benefits and risks for how our people work across Transport, including any planned return to the office under a hybrid working model.

While the Public Health Order is in place, we encourage people to work from home where they can. We will reassess our approach as the situation changes.