Frontline workers in Sydney’s COVID-19 hotspots will no longer have the option to undergo rapid antigen testing instead of getting vaccinated after the NSW government made a late change to rules that were due to come into effect on Monday.
But the fast approaching deadline for authorised workers in the 12 local government areas (LGA) of concern to get the jab has been pushed back from Monday to Friday, September 6, after unions and peak bodies pleaded with the government to ease the timeframe.
A police officer check’s a driver’s identification at a roadblock in Sydney.Credit:Brook Mitchell
“In line with the amended public health order, if an authorised worker is not vaccinated or does not have a medical contraindication form, they will not be able to work outside their LGA,” NSW Health said in a statement on Friday evening.
“Rapid antigen testing will no longer be an alternative to vaccination.”
It was also announced that care workers aged 16 years and over who live in one of the hotspot LGAs must also have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to attend work, including those who work in early education or who provide disability support services.
The late-night change in rules came after pressure from industry and unions who said some workers had struggled to book in for their jabs within the timeframe.
Sydney hospitals were also urgently trying to book vaccinations for remaining staff who are leaving hotspots over the weekend and there were concerns that locking workers out will further burden the stretched system.
Bernie Smith, NSW branch secretary of Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association - a union for shopfront, fast-food and warehouse workers - said straw polls suggested up to about 60 per cent of the workforce had at least one dose, but many who booked appointments weeks ago were not due to receive their first jab until next month.
“We call on the government to stretch the timeline, otherwise there will be thousands of people who are unable to comply,” Mr Smith said before the rule change.
“We’ve got 17,000 members directly affected in those LGAs ... That will put real pressure on stores that’s just not needed over this particular time.”
Authorised workers wanting to leave the area - or workers wanting to enter the area of concern - also need a permit from Service NSW, which needs to be renewed every fortnight.
Homelessness NSW chief executive Katherine McKernan and NSW Council of Social Service head Joanna Quilty wrote to NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard earlier this week urging him to extend the Monday deadline for first doses as their members could not carry out rapid antigen testing.
“These are critical services providing vital support to some of the most vulnerable people in the community,” they wrote.
There have been complaints the Service NSW website briefly crashed on Thursday night under the weight of thousands of workers applying for permits to either enter or leave local government areas of concern before the Saturday deadline, with welfare organisations complaining of the hurdles of proof their staff had to jump over.
Stay across the most crucial developments related to the pandemic with the Coronavirus Update. Sign up for the weekly newsletter.
Angus Thompson is an Urban Affairs reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Daniella White is a reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Most Viewed in National
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMikAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5zbWguY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL25zdy92YWNjaW5hdGlvbi1kZWFkbGluZS1mb3ItYXV0aG9yaXNlZC13b3JrZXJzLXB1c2hlZC1iYWNrLWJ1dC10ZXN0aW5nLWFsdGVybmF0aXZlLXJlbW92ZWQtMjAyMTA4MjctcDU4bW9jLmh0bWzSAQA?oc=5
2021-08-27 11:50:19Z
52781839476774
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Vaccination deadline for authorised workers pushed back but testing alternative removed - Sydney Morning Herald"
Post a Comment