The purpose of this policy is to outline the steps that Super Good Group (“the Company”) will take steps to seek to reduce the risks of employees contracting or spreading COVID-19 at work. It also explains what employees should do if they develop the symptoms of COVID-19, come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 or if they test positive for COVID-19 themselves.
The policy contains important procedures that all employees must follow to help the Company meet these objectives.
Government advice regarding COVID-19 sometimes changes quickly and often varies between different states and territories. In a number of places, this policy refers to the need to follow relevant government guidance. A good source of information on government COVID-19 advice throughout Australia is: www.healthdirect.gov.au

CONSULTATION

All employees should have an opportunity to express views, raise issues and contribute to the decision-making process relating to any Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) matters, including all associated COVID-19 Safe planning and policies. We will consult with all employees before implementing this policy. Please contact your manager should you have questions, concerns or suggestions.

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19

Usual symptoms include:
• fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or higher)
• cough
• sore throat
• shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
• runny nose
• loss of taste
• loss of smell.



Symptoms may also include:
• fatigue
• acute blocked nosed (congestion)
• muscle pain
• joint pain
• headache
• diarrhoea
• nausea/vomiting
• loss of appetite
• Unexplained chest pain
• Conjunctivitis (eye infection)

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress.

HOW COVID-19 SPREADS

COVID-19 is spread between people through:

• direct contact such as by touching each other
• indirect contact such as by touching contaminated objects or surfaces. When people with the virus sneeze, cough or touch surfaces, they may leave infected droplets on these surfaces. The virus can survive on these surfaces for several hours to a few days.
• close contact through the mouth or nose secretions of infected people
• breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling droplets that contain the virus
• certain medical procedures
• aerosol transmission, where infected droplets stay suspended in the air for long periods of time, especially where an indoor environment has little fresh air. This includes places where people talk, shout or sing — for example, at restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship and workplaces
• fans and air-conditioners which circulate the infected droplets (especially if they recirculate the air)
(Source: www.healthdirect.gov.au)

THE RISKS OF CONTRACTING COVID-19

Most people infected with COVID-19 experience mild symptoms and recover. However, some go on to experience more serious illness and may require hospital care. Risk of serious illness rises with age: people over 40 seem to be more vulnerable than those under 40. People with weakened immune systems and people with conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease are also more vulnerable to serious illness.

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19

The following guidelines should be followed:

What if I suspect I have symptoms of COVID-19?
• It is important that you stay away from work if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you have COVID-19 symptoms you should follow current government guidance applicable to your location. Generally, you will be required to be take a rapid antigen or PCR test and self-isolate until you have obtained the result of the test.
• You should notify management through phone call if you are staying away from work for these purposes, or if you are concerned you have COVID-19.
• Permanent employees who are unwell or ill for any reason can access their paid personal/leave, or if this is exhausted, annual leave and/or unpaid leave.
• Casual employees are not entitled to paid leave (unless they have access to Long Service Leave under relevant State or Territory legislation) and will not be rostered on to shifts if they are unwell.
• As with any absence due to illness or injury, you may be required to submit evidence (such as a medical certificate) if the business considers this would be a reasonable request.
What if test positive for COVID-19?
• Follow your state / territory government’s guidelines on self-isolation (for example, you will usually be required to self-isolate for 7 days, until you are symptom free).
• Notify management immediately.
• Work through with your manager any contact tracing that may need to be carried out (for example if you have attended the workplace or you have seen colleagues or customers) and provide any information to the relevant government health unit as requested. Generally you will be required to register yourself as having a positive test result with your state / territory government health authority.
• Follow all medical advice to recover from your infection a soon as possible.
• Follow government advice about when you are able to return to work – for example, you may be able to return to work after a certain period of isolation if you are symptom free.
• Discuss your plan to return to work with management prior to returning to work.
• Permanent employees who test positive for COVID-19 can access their paid personal/carer’s leave, or if this is exhausted, annual leave or unpaid leave.
• Casual employees are not entitled to paid leave (unless they have access to Long Service Leave under relevant State or Territory legislation) and will not be rostered on to shifts if they test positive for COVID-19. Casual employees can also access unpaid pandemic leave if they are eligible under an award applying to their role.
• You will be required to submit evidence (such as proof of a positive test, correspondence from a government health authority etc) if the business considers this would be a reasonable request.

What if I’ve been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19?
You may come in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a variety of ways, for example:
• Someone who you have been in contact with may inform you that they have COVID-19.
• A member of your family or household may have contracted COVID-19.
In these circumstances you must:
• Follow current guidance from state / territory health authorities.
• You will be required to provide evidence (such as a direction to isolate from relevant authorities, proof of the COVID-19 positive case etc) if the business considers this would be a reasonable request.

What if an employee of the Company is diagnosed with COVID-19 or we have a suspected case in the workplace?
• Where relevant you will be notified as soon as possible by a member of the management team (for example if you have spent time with a confirmed case at work).
• If you have been in close contact with the employee(s) who have a confirmed or suspected case, you should follow state / territory health advice and generally get tested and monitor yourself for symptoms for the required period.


WORKPLACE HYGIENE & SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES

We have developed the following guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. When you attend the workplace, you must also adhere to the following rules as well as any separate COVID Safe Plan. You should also follow any Public Health Orders or government directions in place at the time.

On your arrival to work
• When arriving to work please dispose of any temporary masks used in transport.
• Limit the touching of any surfaces.
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Place any bags on the ground and not on desks.
• Please wipe down your desk / work area with a cleaning wipe and dispose of soiled wipes.

Whilst at work
• Follow any Public Health Orders in place regarding mask wearing (eg there may be a requirement to wear a mask in indoor premises, unless you are there by yourself).
• Comply with any Public Health Orders regarding physical distancing. Even when such orders are not in effect, practise physical distancing by maintaining a 1.5 metre distance between yourself and other persons (and adhering to the 4sqm rule) whenever possible.
• Apply social distancing in meeting rooms and avoid being in an enclosed meeting room for a period of time with a group of people whenever possible.
• Frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Please cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Immediately dispose of the tissue after use.
• Clean and disinfect frequently used objects such as mobile phones, keys, wallets and work passes.
• If you feel unwell, tell your direct manager and then promptly leave work if it is safe for you to do so.
• Please be extra attentive in cleaning up after yourself when using shared facilities such as the kitchen and bathroom.
Leaving work
• Please wipe down your desk area with a cleaning wipe and dispose of soiled wipes.

Travelling to and from work

• If travelling to work on public transport, please follow the same principles and adhere to all Government directions with regard to masks wearing and social distancing.

When visiting clients

In addition to all the hygiene and social distancing guidelines above you must also ensure the following:

• Face to face meetings should only take place where appropriate social distancing can be maintained.
• You must obtain a current COVID Safe Plan from any client sites you plan to visit.
• Should you feel at any point that COVID Safety is compromised you should leave immediately and contact your manager.
• Seek permission from your manager before travelling interstate.

BREACHING THIS POLICY

Breach of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

FURTHER INFORMATION

If you require further information or whish to discuss any matter raised in this policy please contact your manager or [insert additional contact].

OTHER POLICIES

Employees and staff are encouraged to read this policy in conjunction with other relevant Company policies, including:

• Workplace Health and Safety Policy