Keep COVID and flu safe

Keeping workplaces COVID and flu safe ensures teams, businesses and industries can continue to move forward. Helping limit the transmission of viruses in the workplace and illness among staff is a key part of this.

There are five key things businesses can do to help reduce the risk this winter:

1. Encourage staff to ensure their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are up to date, including a booster. Those aged 30 years and over who had their COVID-19 booster more than three months ago are now eligible for an additional winter booster. It is strongly recommended for those aged 50 years or over. With the number of cases expected to rise in the coming weeks, there is no time to wait.
2. Ensure staff stay home if they are sick, even with mild symptoms, and get tested as soon as possible. If they test positive for COVID-19, ensure they remember to inform employers and register their rapid antigen test results with Service NSW to receive the right health information.
3. Have a risk assessment plan in place for positive cases, household, and close contacts. While household contacts do not have to self-isolate, they are still at risk of unknowingly having and transmitting COVID-19. Safe Work Australia has the latest information and checklists to help businesses with return to office plans for both positive cases and close and household contacts.
4. Remind staff it is mandatory to wear a mask when commuting on public transport, taxis and rideshares and in high-risk settings. Masks are strongly recommended in all indoor public areas.
5. Create well-ventilated meeting spaces where possible. Ensure there are well-ventilated, large spaces for meetings or encourage virtual, walking or outdoor meetings, which can help reduce the risk.

The NSW Government has developed a toolkit to help businesses communicate to staff, customers and visitors so everyone knows how they can help keep workplaces COVID-19 and flu safe.