New South Wales businesses must ensure they are abiding by all COVID-19 safety measures if they want to see restrictions wound back any time soon.
After almost three weeks under stay-at-home orders and consistent high daily COVID-19 cases detected, a further two weeks of lock down have been announced for Greater Sydney areas.
Addressing business controversies due to COVID-19
There has been debate on whether some businesses that have remained open are essential. The NSW government failed to define exactly proffessionals considered as essential workers.
While browsing is off the cards in stores, for those who do choose to remain open to shoppers under current restrictions, they need to take the utmost care in ensuring their workplace is COVID safe, and that all visitors check-in via a QR code and wear a mask.
“The next weeks are critical in our return to normal and employers need to come out of it sooner rather than later,” said Larry Drewsen, health and safety manager at Employsure.
“Contact-tracing record of who enters and exits a workplace, staff and clients, is an essential tool that will allow contact tracers to track down infected individuals more quickly.”
“Businesses should review state health advice weekly to assess changes in direction. They must abide by the changes or risk fines, and the health of the community.”
Work place COVID-safety plan implementation
Effective work place COVID-safety plans are essential for Aussie businesses.
Plans can include ways to improve personal and workplace hygiene. Hand sanitisers, wipes and the requisite cleaning equipment’s availability to staff is key to slowing the spread.
For staff on-site in hot spot areas, employers may stagger their start and finish time, reducing staff in the break room and keeping them at a further distance from one another.
A safety checklist is also necessary for business owners who have staff working from home.
Employers need to check in on staff at home and identify whether they are in a hot spot, whether they are sick, and who they have been in contact with. Knowing which staff members have physically been in the workplace can help avoid a potential infection spread.
“In all circumstances and no matter the state or industry, abiding by a COVID-19 safety plan is of the utmost importance. Having the correct combination of hygiene control and the most up to date health orders in place is the key to seeing restrictions lift,” concluded Mr Drewsen.
