News

The Transport COVID-19 Taskforce has been working with our Government partners, including NSW Health, on recent changes to the Public Health Order and household contact isolation requirements.

A number of guidelines have been set for household contacts to follow in the seven days from the date from the date that any person who you reside with last tested positive for COVID-19. Anyone that is a household contact needs to do the following:

• Advise your manager that you are household contact
• If you can work from home, you must work from home
• If you cannot work from home, you do not have any symptoms, and you can access the

Transport for NSW RAT supply at your workplace, you can return to work provided you:

• Undertake a Transport supplied Rapid Antigen Test on each work day
• Wear a face mask in indoor areas
• Continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days

You will need to talk to your direct manager and get approval before coming back into the workplace.

While we work on updating the self-isolation report tool to allow managers to record when a household contact returns to the workplace, managers will need to record the details of any household contact approved to return to the workplace here.

This means household contacts who can wear a mask and access the Transport for NSW RAT supply at their usual workplace can return to work.

Where you cannot work from home and cannot access RATs to return to the workplace, you can remain at home and will be able to access special leave for the isolation period.

As always, if you do develop symptoms, you must self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19.

Our COVIDSafe measures, including extra cleaning and capacity limits, will continue throughout all Transport workplaces to help keep you and your team COVID safe.

Rapid Antigen Test supply

For those roles that cannot work from home we will be supplying Rapid Antigen Tests to help our frontline workforce comply with the Public Health Order throughout May.

These tests will be available at centralised frontline staff workplaces. It is important that staff do not use privately sourced RAT kits to return to the workplace.

We are also introducing RAT vending machines, which will be rolled out to 8 high use locations, including:

• Elizabeth Street, Sydney
• 110 George Street, Sydney
• Macquarie Park
• Wollongong
• Grafton
• Bega
• Dubbo
• Waratah

Test packs will also be made available through the Sydney Trains PPE vending machines throughout May.

Read the FAQs for more information on the changes to self-isolation for close contacts and coming back into the workplace.

Catch up on the COVID-19 vaccination Q&A session with Dr Casolin, where he gave an update on the vaccines available today and answered COVID-19 health and vaccination related questions.

With the new BA.2 Omicron sub-variant spreading, we are expecting to see an increase in COVID-19 case numbers in the community and within Transport over the coming weeks and months. We understand this spike means some of our people may be feeling anxious and have concerns about returning to our offices and other workplaces.

Our COVIDSafe Measures Policy was developed with new waves and variants in mind and allows us to continue to maintain a safe work environment. At this time there are no changes to the existing COVIDSafe measures across Transport and we can continue to work in a hybrid way. Face to face events and activities that are effectively planned can continue to occur although some may move online. As always, we are continuing to monitor the situation to determine if any changes are required. If anything does change, please be assured we will communicate this with you.

As we start to see an increase in the number of our people coming together in Transport offices and worksites we want to reiterate the COVIDSafe measures and processes in place to help keep you and those around you safe. It is important now more than ever that we do not become complacent and continue to follow all of these measures. Of particular importance are our contact tracing tools. Please use the Transport QR code check-in at all our locations. This is critical for us in contact tracing.

Vaccination

Vaccination is a key part of our COVIDSafe measures policy and as of 7 February all Transport people were required to be double vaccinated to be compliant with the policy. Anyone with an approved medical exemption will be operating under tailored control measures to ensure their personal safety and the safety of our community. While it is not mandated as part of the policy, we are strongly encouraging all Transport people to receive a booster as soon as you are eligible. If you’re not boosted, we encourage you to get boosted now.

Mask wearing

Mask wearing remains mandatory on public transport and in all public transport waiting areas. While masks are no longer mandatory in most of our indoor worksites including corporate offices, anyone is welcome to wear a mask in any of our locations and some people will require these under existing arrangements. Transport will continue to provide surgical face masks at our offices. Mask wearing may minimise the impacts of isolation if you come into contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case at work. Sydney Trains, TrainLink and other operational staff should refer to their local leader communications for advice on mask wearing. 

Physical distancing

The 1.5 metre physical distancing guidelines are still in place across our offices. For ABW environments make sure you follow the booking system (where applicable) or the onsite green dots for guidance on which desks to use. Capacity limits remain in meeting rooms to enable physical distancing.

Positive case reporting

To help minimise the transmission of COVID-19 at our workplaces it is vital that any positive COVID-19 cases are reported as soon as possible. For more information on how to report if you or someone in your team is a positive case please visit stayinformed.

Workplace check-in (Transport QR codes)

There is a new Transport Workplace check-in you can use to speed up our contact tracing in the event of a positive COVID-19 case at work. This is different to the Service NSW check-in which is no longer being used. Check-in every time using the unique Transport Workplace check-in QR codes at all of our offices and worksites. You can find the QR codes displayed on each floor, and in some meeting rooms.

Enhanced cleaning

There are enhanced cleaning programs in place across all Transport locations. Continue to use the sanitisation products provided, with a focus on good hand hygiene and physical distancing.

Surveillance testing

Transport has a number of Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) programs and pilots across critical sites. These are additional safety measures for priority assessed workers. In coming weeks, there will be some consultation with groups to enable the expansion of our RAT programs, in order to reach all our teams for the purpose of symptomatic testing becoming available to all employees.

Symptom check

Feeling unwell? If so, please stay home. We’re all responsible for our own safety, so stay home if you have any symptoms.

Finally, it is important to acknowledge the current climate is a difficult one for many, with a large number of our people still dealing with the flood recovery alongside the impacts of COVID-19. Please make sure you reach out for support.

Stay safe.

Karen

This update is intended for office based staff and their arrangements for returning to workplaces.

We now have more options to connect and collaborate with each other in person as part of our hybrid ways of working. This step change is the result of the NSW Government recently removing its recommendation to work from home.

Hybrid working in offices

A mix of face-to-face and virtual working gives you greater choice in where and when you work, while also allowing us to dial up and dial down our ability to work at home or in the office, depending on the circumstances.

Every role will benefit from some face-to-face time, but this will look different for everyone. If you haven’t already, speak to your leader to discuss a suitable operating rhythm that will work for both you and your team.

More information on hybrid working is available here.

How we’re keeping our workplaces COVIDSafe

Transport’s COVIDSafe Policy is in place to help keep us safe at work. From 1 March, the following COVIDSafe measures will continue to be in place at Transport workplaces:

• Enhanced cleaning: The cleaning programs in place differ across locations. Please continue to use the sanitisation products provided, with a focus on good hand hygiene and physical distancing to ensure that extra layer of protection for yourself and your colleagues.
• Plan ahead: Make sure you’re familiar with your team’s Hub and if you’re planning to work from one of our bookable drop in locations please book a desk before you arrive. For regional locations such as Dubbo and Wollongong undergoing a transition, existing arrangements remain in place.
• Physical distancing: The 1.5m physical distancing guidelines are still in place across our offices. For ABW environments please follow the booking system (where applicable) or the onsite green dots (for sites without a booking system such as Wagga Wagga and Newcastle) for guidance on which desks to use.
• Capacity limits: These will remain in meeting rooms to enable physical distancing.

Mask wearing

Under the public health order, masks remain a requirement on public transport and in all public transport waiting areas.

Indoor mask wearing requirements under the Public Health Order have been relaxed. This means masks are no longer mandatory in most of our indoor worksites including corporate offices.

Sydney Trains and TrainLink staff should refer to their local leader communications for advice on mask wearing. Masks are encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others.

Anyone is welcome to continue to wear a mask in any of our locations and some people will be required to under the existing arrangements. Transport will continue to provide surgical face masks (our recommended face covering) at your office.

If you are unsure – ask your leader.

Visitors

Note that visitors must comply with Transport’s COVIDSafe Policy requirements, including vaccination and the above safety requirements while at any of our workplaces.

Workplace check-in

Workplace check-in is now in place and replaces the Service NSW check-in. This is Transport specific and plays a key role in allowing us to notify people of confirmed COVID-19 cases at the same work location on the same date.

The Transport workplace check-in system allows us to capture the same information as the Service NSW app, plus additional location specific details such as the floor accessed by a confirmed COVID case. It also enables us to provide our people with timely notifications and tailored advice, as recommended by NSW Health.

You can read more about workplace check-in and how it works in our FAQs.

Boosters

Vaccination remains an important part of COVIDSafe policy. If you’re not boosted, we encourage to get boosted now.

Don’t forget, there is also a COVID-19 Booster Shot Support Payment available for you. Visit StayInformed for information on vaccinations, personal safety and how to access the booster shot support payment.

Distribution Date - 3 February 2022

RATs, contact tracing and cleaning programs

Over 6000 people tuned in to yesterday’s COVID operational livestream. If you missed it, you can watch the replay below.

Health update

NSW Health has released an updated risk assessment guide for the workplace. The main change relates to high-risk contacts and we are working through what this means for us.

Events and stakeholder engagement

We’ve received lots of questions about hosting events and stakeholder engagement. Unless the activity is business critical, these shouldn’t go ahead. If it is business critical, a risk assessment needs to be carried out. Please talk to your WHS business partner who can guide you on this.

RATs and surveillance testing

RAT supply has improved over the last week and distribution is underway to our 15 health surveillance pilot sites. In the next few weeks, our RAT program will expand to include self-testing kits for priority assessed roles. If you’re not sure if your role is included in the pilot, please speak to your leader.

Contact tracing

We are currently developing a QR check-in system to bolster and automate our existing contact tracing. This will be available at all our offices and worksites later this month and will enable us to automatically notify people when they have been at the same location on the same day as a COVID-positive case. Read more about our existing contact tracing system.

Cleaning programs

We recently completed an independent review of our current suite of cleaning protocols. The report is being worked through now and any planned enhancements to our cleaning procedures will be communicated shortly after.

We are also looking at ventilation and HVAC systems to identify if there are any additional controls we can apply to our workspaces and assets. More on this soon.

Reminders

As per advice from the NSW Government, we recommend you continue working from home until the end of February, if you can.

You're encouraged to get your booster as soon as you’re eligible – for most of us, that’s three months after your second dose. Regardless of the time of your vaccination appointment, you can also apply to be paid two hours base pay (in addition to normal hours) to attend your vaccination appointment. Complete the Payment of COVID-19 Vaccine Request Form.

Distribution Date - 21 January 2022

Livestream wrap-up and latest FAQs

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to our all-staff livestream yesterday. Here’s a wrap-up of what was discussed, and some answers to the most popular questions.

Rapid antigen testing

We’re working across government to ensure we have an adequate supply of rapid antigen tests (RATs) for our people, especially those working at critical sites where testing is a requirement.

While there is a global shortage, the whole-of-government approach is to prioritise availability to certain groups, such as school children (as we return to school), health workers and people working directly with vulnerable communities.

The availability of RATs is expected to improve over the next few weeks, and as supply improves, we will reassess who needs access to RATs on a priority basis.

Contact tracing

We recently introduced a new contact tracing system for managers to help minimise the transmission of COVID-19 at our workplaces. This is helping us identify potentially exposed workers and allows us to take swift, appropriate action.

In addition to this, we will soon be implementing our very own Transport QR code across all our workplaces. This will allow everyone to check in when attending a worksite and will notify people if they have been in the building the same day and time as someone who has tested positive. More information on this will be made available soon.

Boosters

More of us are now eligible for a booster with the recommended interval between your second dose and booster reduced from 4 to 3 months.

You're encouraged to get your booster as soon as you’re eligible and can book through the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.

Regardless of the time of your vaccination appointment, you can also apply to be paid two hours base pay (in addition to normal hours) to attend your vaccination appointment. Complete the Payment of COVID-19 Vaccine Request Form.

Novavax

Yesterday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval for the COVID-19 vaccine, NUVAXOVID (Novavax). This is the first protein COVID-19 vaccine to receive regulatory approval in Australia and is intended for people aged 18 years and over.

Novavax still needs final approval from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), which will decide who the vaccine will be made available to.

Hybrid working

We're continuing to assess the benefits and risks of how our people work across Transport, including any planned return to the office under a hybrid working model.

Hybrid working gives us the ability to respond quickly to changing needs and circumstances and we will dial up and dial down our ability to work at home or in the office, depending on the circumstances.

However, at this stage, we encourage people to continue working from home where possible.

Latest FAQs

How soon after testing positive to COVID-19 can I get a booster?

Even if you get COVID-19, it is still recommended that you get your booster. You’re able to get your booster as soon as you feel better again and once your self-isolation period is over. Speak to your GP if you’re unsure about the interval or have any other concerns.

Will boosters be mandated?

Transport will encourage and support people to get booster shots as it provides further protection against the adverse effects of COVID-19. We will continue to review controls to secure the best health and safety protections for our people, customers and the community, as per our obligations under work, health and safety laws.

Does the approval of Novavax impact my exemption for the COVIDSafe Measures Policy?

If you sought an exemption to the Transport COVIDSafe Measures Policy because you have a preference for Novavax, and you are not yet compliant with the Policy, someone from the Implementation team will be in touch to discuss your individual circumstances and what this means for you.

View more of our COVID FAQs.

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:

• You must register a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) with Service NSW
• There have been additional changes to self-isolation requirements

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