People Leader COVIDSafe update: New contact tracing system for managers

Distribution date: 14 January 2022

Important - COVIDSafe People Leader update

Thank you for being patient as we work through the changing COVID-19 rules and restrictions and what these mean for our people. With the situation evolving rapidly, it’s important you regularly check NSW Health for the latest information while we’ll work to resolve and share any Transport impacts with you as quickly as we can.

Latest Health changes managers need to be aware of:

New contact tracing process

To help minimise the transmission of COVID-19 at our workplaces, a Contact Tracing Process has been put in place to help identify potentially exposed workers and allow us to take appropriate action.

From today (14 January), contact tracing will be required if a confirmed case was in the workplace 3 days leading up to testing positive or if the source of infection was indicated as a potential workplace exposure.

When reporting cases, you will receive an email with a link to a Contact Tracing Form if contact tracing is required.

Find out more about the Contact Tracing Process.

Rapid antigen tests

We’re receiving lots of questions about RATs which we are working through with NSW Health. Please continue to follow the testing guidelines and self-isolation guidelines stated on Stayinformed and we will notify you if anything changes.

Other key points:

  • You must register a rapid antigen test as soon as possible after you get your result. You do not need to register if you’ve had a negative or invalid rapid antigen test result, or if you’ve had a positive PCR test in the 28 days before your positive rapid antigen test.
  • You should not be using a P-card to purchase rapid antigen tests.
  • Reminder that rapid antigen (RA) surveillance testing is required for staff who work at some of our operationally critical sites, including contractors and approved visitors. If the site is not your usual place of work, or you do not have permission to attend the site for work purposes, you may not be permitted to enter the building or precinct. Please check before your arrival.
  • The surveillance testing already in place will continue at this point, and the Taskforce are consulting with NSW health on other critical elements which may reframe, expand or change our programs.

Working from home

Continue to reinforce with your teams the need to work from home where possible. Important work can continue but anything that can be deferred or delayed should be rescheduled until we understand the environment and the PHO determinations further.

Checking in with your people

It’s important to remember that many of our people have been personally impacted by COVID-19. Please remember to:

Regularly check in with your team and provide support where needed. Health and wellbeing resources for managers are on the Staywell hub if you need them.

  • Remind people in your team to stay home if they feel unwell.

Look after yourself