From 17 December 2021, employers providing services or working in settings involving:
- early childhood, primary and secondary education;
- corrective services;
- police watch houses;
- areas of airports that receive interstate or overseas flights
must comply with the Queensland Government COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Workers in a high-risk setting Direction (the Direction).
The Direction prohibits workers from entering and remaining in, working in, or providing services in a high-risk setting unless they have complied with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Employers must notify workers of these vaccination requirements and take all reasonable steps to ensure that a worker does not enter and remain in, work in, provide services or volunteer in a high-risk setting if they do not meet the COVID-19 vaccination requirements or have a medical contraindication for COVID-19 vaccines.
The COVID-19 vaccination requirements are:
- by 17 December 2021 has received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine;
- by 11:59pm AEST on 23 January 2022 has received the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (currently two doses); and
- as soon as reasonably practicable after each dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, show evidence of having received a COVID-19 vaccine to their employer and/or responsible person.
There are exemptions for workers who unable to be vaccinated due to a medical contraindication, for critical workforce shortages or to respond to critical needs as long as PPE is used by the worker and they undertake a COVID-19 PCR test before starting work each day.
Evidence of the medical contraindication must be completed and signed by an eligible health professional.
Exemptions for a worker due to a critical workforce issue are up to a maximum period of one month until the critical workforce issue can be resolved.
There is also an exemption for workers who are a participant in a COVID-19 vaccine trial.
Employers must keep a record of the COVID-19 vaccination status, the type of proof of COVID-19 vaccinations, evidence of a medical contraindication, or evidence of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant for each worker.
Key Takeaways
If you operate your business in a high-risk setting you must comply with this direction. If you require support in managing employees who refuse to comply with this direction, with your COVID-19 risk assessment or mandatory vaccination policy, please do not hesitate to contact us at Toowoomba lawyers at 1300 068 736.
This publication has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in brief and general terms and should be viewed as broad guidance only. It does not purport to be comprehensive or to render advice. No one should rely on the information contained in this publication without first obtaining professional advice relevant to their own specific situation.
