The World Health Organisation has declared the coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment and ensure the health and safety of their employees. Source: Timberbiz
Employees who have been diagnosed with the virus are entitled to access their personal/carer’s leave entitlements during their absence. Employees can also access their personal/carer’s leave to provide care and support to their family members.
Employers should request that employees who have been absent with the virus provide a full medical clearance before they return to the workplace.
If an employee has exhausted their personal/ carer’s leave, it is recommended that you consider allowing employees to access their annual or long service leave entitlements. If an employee has no leave accruals, you may consider allowing the employee to take a period of unpaid leave.
The Department of Health advises that the most common symptoms are a fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. If you notice any of your employees experiencing these flu-like symptoms, then as a precaution you should ask them to visit a health practitioner without delay.
These employees should not return to work until they can provide a full medical clearance from their treating doctor.
The Department of Health requires any person who thinks they have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus to isolate themselves at home for 14 days after their last contact with the confirmed case.
As of 1 February 2020, the Department of Health has advised that all travellers arriving out of mainland China (not just the Hubei Province) are being asked to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from the time they leave mainland China.
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that employers implement additional workplace hygiene practices and cleaning protocols across their workplace, including placing additional hand sanitiser throughout the workplace.
