South Australia opens borders to vaccinated resources workers
The South Australian Government has from today (23 November 2021) significantly eased its border restrictions for a range of essential sectors including resources and energy sector employees.
As part of the state’s “COVID-Ready Plan”, the new rules will allow for vaccinated essential travellers to enter SA, without needing to quarantine.
The new rules, implemented after South Australia reached an 80% vaccination target, will provide much-needed rostering flexibility and a reduction in cross-border administration for resources and energy companies operating in the state.
The South Australian Government’s general new guidance for essential travellers states that approvals issued via the “EntryCheck SA” will be valid for three months.
“Any requirement to quarantine will not apply for Essential Travellers, but they will not be able to enter high risk settings or COVID-19 Management Plan Events for 14 days,” the government says.
“Any requirement to test prior to or upon arrival will be satisfied if evidence of a test within seven days can be produced.
“All existing Essential Traveller Approvals will be honoured until they expire – at that time travellers will be required to make an application to enter South Australia using EntryCheck SA.”
More detailed information can also be found via the SA Department of Energy and Mining’s website.
Union official anomaly in WA’s resource sector mandate
Australian Resources and Energy Group AREEA has written to the Western Australian Premier expressing members’ concerns with two anomalies in the Resources Industry Worker (Restrictions on Access) Directions which mandates COVID-19 vaccinations for employees in the industry.
The Directions state that a resources industry worker must not work at, or remain at, a rural or remote resources industry site, on or from 12:01am on 1 December 2021, unless they have been at least partially vaccinated against COVID-19.
From 1 January 2022 the restriction to site applies for any employee who has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The first issue identified by AREEA relates to ambiguity over coverage of maritime support vessels, was swiftly acted upon by the Government, which we commend them for doing so.
However the second concern remains outstanding. The Directions provide a express exemption to union officials who seek to enter a mine site or hydrocarbons operation via a site entry permit issued by the Fair Work Commission.
At a time when the government and the industry is working hard, and working together to protect resources and energy industry operations and employees from the virus, there is no reason why union officials can’t be vaccinated like everyone else on site.
“Surely the government doesn’t think union organisers are a special species of human that won’t contract or transmit COVID-19 the same as everyone else,” AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott AM said.
“It just doesn’t make any sense for there to be less controls and conditions for union organisers seeking to enter a worksite than those that apply to employees, contractors, police and ambulance officers, government officials and other visitors to site.
“Such an approach risks undermining the whole point of the vaccine mandate.
“This anomaly is easily fixed. Just as union organisers, when visiting site, must comply with all other workplace health and safety requirements of the employer, so too should they be required to comply with the site’s specific COVID-19 management policies.”
Read more here in The West Australian here.
AREEA strongly encourages members based in Western Australia or with operations in the state to carefully read the Directions and seek AREEA’s support or guidance.
Contact [email protected] or call the AREEA Workplace Advisory Team via 1300 501 677 for support and assistance on COVID-19 management, including all vaccine matters.
