FOI 20.21 0848 Decision Documents.pdf

FOI 20/21-0848
DOCUMENT 1
National Disability Insurance Agency
Pandemic Plan
V1.0 – Final
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Table of Contents
1
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1  Context ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2  Objectives and Guiding Principles .............................................................................................................. 4
1.3  Planning Hierarchy ..................................................................................................................................... 5
1.4  Phases of Pandemic Influenza .................................................................................................................... 5
1.5  Pandemic Risks .......................................................................................................................................... 7
2
SCOPE ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
2.1  Structure of the Pandemic Plan ................................................................................................................. 9
2.2  NECC Considerations.................................................................................................................................. 9
3
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ...................................................................................................... 10
3.1  Other Staff Roles & Responsibilities......................................................................................................... 10
4
ACTION PLANS ..................................................................................................................................... 11
4.1  The Australian Phases .............................................................................................................................. 11
4.2  The Overseas Phase ................................................................................................................................. 11
APPENDIX A – THE NATURE OF AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC ......................................................... 27
APPENDIX B – PREVENTION AND CONTROL ...................................................................................... 29
APPENDIX C – SOCIAL DISTANCING & QUARANTINE ....................................................................... 33
APPENDIX D – PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ..................................................................... 37
APPENDIX E – GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................... 39

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1  Introduction
1.1  Context
A human influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus subtype to which there is little or no
immunity emerges, is easily and rapidly spread between people and is capable of causing severe disease
in humans. In the absence of immunity, the new subtype can rapidly spread across the globe, causing
worldwide epidemics or ‘pandemics’ with high numbers of cases and deaths.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has studied the development of previous pandemics and had
developed a model of the phases of pandemic development to describe the global situation (phases 1-
6). These phases can be grouped into three broad periods:
•  In the early or ‘interpandemic’ period (phases 0-2), a new form of the influenza virus emerges
in animals and risk of transmission to humans increases.
•  In the intermediate or ‘pandemic alert’ period (phases 3-5), the virus is first transmitted to
humans and starts to be  transmitted between humans in smaller and larger clusters
(geographical areas).
•  In the ‘pandemic’ period (phase 6), the virus is in its final pandemic form and spreads easily
between humans, causing widespread il ness and possibly deaths.
While Australia uses the same numbering system as the WHO, the six Australian phases describe where
the virus is: whether in overseas countries (OS) or in Australia (AUS). The Australian phases have been
developed to guide Australia’s response and to enable actions to be taken in Australia before a change
of phase is declared b the WHO.
Pandemic influenza is a potentially global threat that all countries must prepare for. Well planned and
practical contingency measures can greatly reduce the impact of a pandemic which by definition is
associated with wide spread infection, extreme morbidity, and mortality rates much higher than during
those outbreaks of influenza we experience seasonally from year to year.
Refer to the Appendices for further details regarding pandemic influenza.
1.2  Objectives and Guiding Principles
The Pandemic Plan for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) outlines the responsibilities,
processes and actions to ensure that the organisation is able to continue to deliver services. This forms
part of the overall Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Framework.
The emergence of a pandemic would create significant challenges for the NDIA in continuing to deliver
its services and requires planning to ensure our business continuity and emergency capability is able to
meet such a chal enge.   Planning for an influenza pandemic is different than the more familiar
emergencies of bushfires, floods and cyclones as it is an emerging risk, something that we have not
previously encountered and therefore do not know the ful  extent of the consequences.  A pandemic
wil  present difficulties to manage and a number of planning assumptions have been made:
•  it will arise rapidly, spread quickly and will not behave in a predictable way;
•  there is the likelihood of numerous outbreaks across the country, simultaneously;
•  the impact on our work force wil  be significant, s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies, s47C - deliberative content
; and
•  there may be a number of ‘waves’, each lasting 6 – 8 weeks.
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Figure 2: Australian Pandemic Phases

In June 2009, the Australia Government announced a new response phase cal ed PROTECT. This phase
recognises that the infection/pandemic is mild in most cases, severe in some and moderate overall.
PROTECT sits alongside CONTAIN and SUSTAIN phases with a greater focus on the vulnerable or people
in whom the disease may be severe.
1.5 Pandemic Risks
Table 1 below shows the key risks present at each of the various pandemic phases. The attached
Pandemic Action Plans aim to mitigate these risks.

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2  Scope
The scope of the Pandemic Plan is limited to key actions at each phase of a declared pandemic.  The
Pandemic Plan covers NDIA sites and NDIA staff and contractors. Considerations have been included
in dealings with the public and participants.

2.1  Structure of the Pandemic Plan
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2.2  NECC Considerations
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3 Roles and Responsibilities
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4 Action Plans
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Websites
www.flupandemic.gov.au is a dedicated website, developed by the Commonwealth Department of
Health, to provide a single portal to access information on pandemic influenza. It provides links to
Commonwealth, State and Territory Government information sources, including many of those listed
below.

National plans
Australia’s national plans for an influenza pandemic outline the responsibilities, authorities and
mechanisms to prevent and manage an influenza pandemic and its consequences in Australia. These plans
provide detail on Australia’s health response and the broader actions the Commonwealth, State and
Territory Governments would take should a pandemic eventuate.

National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic (NAPHIP)

Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza (AHMPPI)

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Appendix B – Prevention and Control
If human to human infection is present in Australia, NDIA will implement a number of prevention
measures including increased work place cleaning, routine personal hygiene practises, and increased
social distancing.
Reducing the Risk: Basic Principles for Preventing the Spread of Influenza
Short of a vaccine, there are many simple ways people can substantially reduce the risk of being infected
by or spreading the influenza virus. These include:
•  Frequent hand washing (hand hygiene), particularly after coming into contact with people who
might be infected.
•  Cough and sneeze etiquette.
•  In the event of a pandemic, wearing a simple surgical mask or other covering for the nose and
mouth (PPE).
•  Maintaining a physical distance from people who might be infected.
•  Household and workplace hygiene.
•  Staying home from work when unwel , and encouraging col eagues to do so.
Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is crucial to reducing the transmission of infectious agents. It is possibly the most important
means of infection control. Hand hygiene includes washing hands with soap and water or cleaning hands
with alcohol-based products (gels, rinses, foams) that can be used without water.
•  If your hands are visibly soiled with respiratory secretions (phlegm, spit), you need to wash them
with soap (plain or antimicrobial) and water. Wash with soap and water, scrubbing your wrists,
palms, fingers and nails for 10-15 seconds. Rinse, and dry with a clean, dry towel.
•  If there is no visible soiling, you might prefer alcohol-based products with an emol ient. They dry
the skin less and can be more convenient.
•  Always wash your hands after contact with other people and after removing a mask or gloves, if
you have been wearing them.
•  In general, try to keep your hands away from your face.
•  When arriving at work.
•  Before, during and after food preparation.
•  After touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
•  Fol owing sneezing.
•  After touching potential y contaminated surfaces, including other people.
Cough and Sneeze
If you must cough or sneeze, you should:
•  Cover your nose and mouth.
•  Use disposable tissues rather than you hands or a handkerchief (which could store the virus).
•  Dispose of used tissues in the nearest waste receptacle, not in your pocket or handbag.
•  Tissues should be placed into the bin. It is important not to throw tissues in the bin as throwing
causes air to pass through the pores of the tissue and thus may transfer any trapped virus from
the tissue and into the inspirable air.
•  Wash your hands afterwards, or after touching used tissues
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Basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) consists of tissues and masks (or mouth and nose coverings) to
prevent the spread of infection to others. Wearing a mask is particularly important for people who are
coughing.
Physical Distance
A very simple way of reducing the chance of being infected or passing on infection is to stand or sit back
from other people in public or the work place.  You should try to maintain a distance of one meter, where
possible.  In a pandemic, you should try to avoid crowded gatherings, especially in enclosed spaces. If you
need to use public transport, it will be sensible to wear a surgical mask or other PPE.
Workplace Hygiene
Individuals will be responsible for the cleanliness and hygiene of themselves and their workstations.
Common surfaces such as taps, doorknobs and tables should be disinfected (once or twice daily). People
should not share cups or utensils.
In the workplace:
•  have a supply of tissues available.
•  consider having conveniently located dispensers of alcohol-based hand rub.
•  provide pump pack soap and disposable towels near sinks for hand washing.
Do not visit people who have the flu, unless it is absolutely necessary.
Employee Health
An employee who suspects they have influenza should NOT present to work. The employee should notify
a designated person or supervisor by telephone of their suspected or actual diagnosis of influenza.
Influenza illness and leave will be managed as any other sickness.
Surface decontamination
•  The AHMPPI outlines the recommended agents for use to disinfect workplace surfaces, so as to
help minimise the transmission of influenza. The agents recommended include the fol owing:

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Appendix C – Social Distancing & Quarantine
Social distancing
Social distancing is the separation of people, designed to minimise the close contact which is required for
direct person to person transmission of the influenza virus between:
•  Staff and others during travel to and from work;
•  Among customers;
•  Between staff and customers; and
•  Among staff at work.
Distancing customers from staff
Protecting the health of staff by distancing them from customers is an important, yet difficult component
of a pandemic influenza management plan. In addition to minimising the number of customers presenting
to Departmental offices and process for dealing with symptomatic customers, further protection can be
ensured to staff from customers by considering the fol owing:
•  Staff at counters should be positioned at least one meter away from the customer whom they
are attending to.
•  If necessary, the customer may need to stand further away from the counter (e.g. by having in
place an additional barrier if there is a need to achieve a minimum separation of one meter),
rather than the Department needing to move their chair further back from the workstation/
counter. This would minimise the potential for the precipitation or aggravation of
musculoskeletal injuries arising among staff as a result of non-ergonomical y sound computer
work (i.e. arising from the incorrect positioning of seating too far from the work station in an
attempt to increase their distance from the standing customer at the counter).
•  If the counters are not wide enough to ensure at least one meter barrier between staff and
customers, and the customers are thus forced to stand further away from the counter, a number
of confounding issues may arise. In particular, hearing impaired people may not be able to
discriminate the Department speech, and/or confidentiality may be breached by the need to
speak louder.
•  If private rooms are available, they should be utilised in preference to counter work, as one may
arrange the seating so as to ensure barrier of at least one meter. Furthermore, the use of private
rooms would reduce the breaching of confidentiality posed in the above point.
•  The installation of temporary Perspex barriers (e.g. barriers used in banks) should be considered,
especially in locations where a one meter buffer cannot be guaranteed between the employee
and the customer.
•  Alternatively, if a one meter buffer is not present, and Perspex barriers are not practical, then it
may be necessary to provide all customers at the counter with a surgical face mask to minimise
aerosol spread of respiratory secretions.
Distancing between staff
Minimising close contact between staff is necessary to reduce the potential for person-to-person spread
of influenza at work. Such contact should be minimised while undertaking the normal work duties, as well
as during breaks.
In order to minimise person to person spread of influenza at work, the fol owing should be considered:
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•  The distance between staff sitting at adjacent desks should be a minimum of one meter. This
barrier will minimise aerosol transmission of influenza from one staff member to another.
•  Furthermore, the distance between a seated staff member and the desk of an adjacent staff
member should also be one meter. This will help minimise the potential of a staff member
transmitting influenza virus to the surface of an adjacent colleague’s desk if he/she happen to
sneeze or cough. If this is allowed to occur, then transmission of influenza may occur as a result
of a staff member touching the surface of their desk (or equipment on it) on which the influenza
virus has been deposited by an infected adjacently seated asymptomatic (yet infectious)
colleague.
•  Ensuring at least a one meter distance between adjacent desks and in particular between staff
should be achieved without the need to necessarily physically move such workstations. That is,
staff absences should be taken advantage of, with temporarily unoccupied desks been used to
increase the distance between staff in attendance.
•  Should the desk of an absent staff member be used so in this way the desk should be adequately
cleaned and decontaminated.
•  When employees return to work following confirmed influenza, they should be seated at
workstations interspersed between uninfected staff. That is, uninfected individuals should be
separated as far from each other as possible, by seating immune staff in workstations between
them, as the later cannot be reinfected and are also less likely to be able to spread the disease.
This process will aid in increasing the distance between susceptible (non-immune) staff.
•  NDIA offices are typically designed with pods containing 4 or more work stations. A barrier wall
exists between adjacent pods to ensure privacy and to minimise noise. This wall should be at least
30-40cm in height, so as to act as a barrier to aerosol transmissions between staff in different but
opposing workstations.
•  As the influenza virus can survive on surfaces for 24-48 hours, staff should be encouraged to not
share physical equipment such as computers, keyboards, mouse or telephones. These should be
decontaminated before they are assigned to another employee.
•  Similarly, staff should not share stationery. This is also recommended for customers. They should
be provided with a pen or pencil and asked to discard it or take it with them when they finished
with it. Alternatively, to minimise cost, used stationery can be placed in a separate container. As
the influenza virus only survives on such surfaces for about 48 hours, the stationery can be re-
issued to the public after this time has elapsed.
•  During the influenza pandemic, face-to-face staff interaction should be kept to a minimum. Staff
should aim to communicate with each other only via the use of email or telephone.
•  Training that necessitates small or large groups of attendance in the same room should be
suspended or avoided.
•  Important meetings should be conducted via teleconferencing rather than in person. If face-to-
face meetings are unavoidable consider having them outside in the open air and try to keep one
meter from one another.
•  Develop guidelines and capability for business communication, written procedures and
information sheets for effective business and personal communication strategies covering;
meetings, teleconferencing, social events, staff amenity rooms, etc
During scheduled and non-scheduled breaks, employees should:
•  Avoid gatherings. This includes within the kitchen, breakout area or amenities rooms
•  Employees should sit as far from each other as possible
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•  Employees should refrain from equipment which may harbour the virus. They should consider
decontamination of these items before each use.
•  Staff should not share utensils. Always wash utensils before and after use and store where others
may not use them.
•  Beware of control taps at drinking fountains as an infected individual may have touched the
surface. Ensure it is decontaminated before use.
Isolation Vs Quarantine
Isolation refers to the separation of persons who have a specific infectious illness from those who are
healthy and the restriction of their movement to stop the spread of that illness.
Quarantine refers to the separation and restriction of movement of persons who, while not yet ill, have
been exposed to an infectious agent and therefore may become infectious. Both isolation and quarantine
are public health strategies that have proven effective in stopping the spread of infectious diseases.
Quarantine
Quarantine refers to the separation and restriction of movement of asymptomatic contacts who may
develop an infectious disease (e.g. influenza), while isolation refers to the separation of cases of infectious
disease (of influenza) from healthy people and the restriction of their movement to stop the spread of
the disease.
The nature of quarantine wil  depend on the Overseas and Australian Pandemic Phases. Quarantine may
be voluntary or mandatory and may be in a Hospital, other designated facility or at home. During the
Australian pandemic phases 3-5, quarantine and isolation is likely to be very prescriptive.
If the individual has been at work, NDIA wil  be contacted and the close work and non-work contacts (i.e.
within one meter) will most probably be directed to leave work and quarantine themselves at home until
the incubation period of influenza (i.e. 7-10 days) is over. It should be noted that when pandemic
influenza is initially identified in Australia, and the number of cases are few, it would not be unusual for
workplaces to be ordered to close for one week.
Duration of absence
s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies, s47C - deliberative content

Staff absences can be expected for many reasons:
•  Il ness/incapacity (suspected/actual/post-infectious);
•  Some may need to stay at home to care for ill family members;
•  Others may need to stay at home to look after children (as schools/child care centres are likely to
be closed);
•  People may feel safer at home (e.g. to keep away from crowded places such as public transport);
and
•  Some people may be fulfilling other voluntary roles in the community
Complications from influenza (e.g. pneumonia, ear infections, renal disease, myelitis, polyneuritis, etc)
would increase the duration of work absence, the duration of which cannot be accurately predicted.
Furthermore, recovery from influenza may be more prolonged among employees with chronic medical
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conditions (e.g. cardiac illnesses, respiratory illnesses – Asthma & Emphysema, Diabetes, etc) and/or with
compromised immune system (e.g. HIV infection, Cancer, Drug Induced – Staff taking prescribed
corticosteroid medication, etc)

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Appendix D – Personal Protective Equipment
Respiratory protection using face masks is only one component of an overall plan to minimise
transmission of influenza within the workplace during a pandemic. It is critical that NDIA  employees
understand the benefits and limitations of face masks, and in particular that the other control measures
described previously (e.g. social distancing, hand washing, surface decontamination, etc) are just as
important.
Face Masks
Employees who develop symptoms at work should be given a mask to wear. This may prevent suspected
virus transmission.  Masks must be removed and disposed of safely when they become moist or after
coughing or sneezing. So as not to spread infection it is important that masks are correctly applied, not
touched or handled when worn and are correctly disposed of.
Surgical masks are designed to minimise the spread of respiratory secretions or droplets from the person
wearing the face mask to the surrounding environment. The masks do not significantly protect the wearer
from influenza containing aerosolised secretions transmitted by others in their vicinity.
Respirators are designed to filter the air being breathed in by the wearer. P2 particulate respirators when
used according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, are at least 95% effective in filtering inspired air, and
are the class of respiratory protection deemed by the WHO to adequately filter influenza virus.  P3
particulate respirators are deemed to be even more effective, and can therefore be considered for use in
the event that P2 masks are unavailable. If available, First Aid officers should be supplied with multiple
P3 masks.
Tissues and Bins
Pedal bins are recommended in the event of a pandemic as they reduce the potential transmission of the
influenza virus when disposing of tissues.  Tissues should always be placed into the bin and not thrown as
air that passes through the tissue can release any trapped virus.
Thermometers
Thermometers should be used by First Aid officers to check the temperature of an employee who isn’t
feeling well
Alcohol Wipes
Alcohol wipes should be used for telephone and keyboard cleaning

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Appendix E – Glossary
Absenteeism: Absenteeism is when people are absent from work.s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies, s47C - deliberative content

AHMPPI:  Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza

Antiviral:  A type of drug used to help prevent or treat il nesses caused by some viruses, including
influenza.

Community transmission:  Community transmission is the passing of a disease from an infected individual
to another individual outside of a known group of contacts, and outside health care settings.

Contain:  The process of stopping spread of illness beyond a confined area. Key containment measures
for an influenza pandemic include border measures, quarantine or isolation, social distancing, infection
control, contact tracing and use of antivirals.

Cough and sneeze etiquette:  Measures individuals can take when we cough, sneeze or blow our nose,
to reduce the chance of spreading the virus. This is sometimes referred to as respiratory hygiene.

Epidemic:  A sudden increase in the incidence of a disease affecting a large number of people and
spreading over a large area

Pandemic:  Epidemic on a global scale. Only Type A influenza viruses have been known to cause pandemic.

Flu clinic:  Flu clinics are specially planned facilities that will be set up during a pandemic for safe medical
assessment and management of people with suspected pandemic influenza.

Hand hygiene:  A general term referring to any action of hand cleansing for example, hand washing,
antiseptic hand wash, antiseptic hand rub.

Influenza (the flu):  The flu is a highly contagious disease of the respiratory tract, caused by influenza
viruses.

Influenza Type A:  Type A influenza is a influenza virus that occurs in humans and animals.
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Influenza Type B:  Type B influenza is a influenza virus that occurs only in humans.

Isolation:  Separation of infected persons (cases) from other people for the period they are likely to be
infectious, in order to prevent or limit the direct or indirect transmission of the virus.

NAPHIP:  National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic

Personal protective equipment (PPE):  PPE is equipment that can be worn by an individual to protect
them or others from infection.

Preparedness:  Undertaking measures to ensure that the health sector is adequately prepared for the
event of an influenza pandemic.

Social Distancing:  A community level intervention to reduce normal physical and social population mixing
in order to slow the spread of a pandemic throughout society. Social distancing measures include school
closures, workplace measures, cancellation of mass gatherings, changing public transport arrangements
and movement restrictions.

Quarantine (see also Isolation):  The limitation of freedom of movement for a period of time of well
persons who are likely to have been exposed to the virus (contact) to prevent their contact with people
who have not been exposed.

WHO:  World Health Organisation

Vaccine:  Vaccine is a medication that stimulates the production of antibodies to protect against a specific
disease.

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April 2018
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Contents
1.  Introduction ................................................................................................................... 4
1.1.
Context ................................................................................................................. 4
1.2.
Objectives and Guiding Principles ........................................................................ 4
1.3.
Planning Hierarchy ............................................................................................... 5
1.4.
Phases of Pandemic Influenza ............................................................................. 6
1.5.
Pandemic Risks .................................................................................................... 8
2.  Scope ........................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.
Structure of the Pandemic Plan ............................................................................ 9
2.2.
NECC Considerations .......................................................................................... 9
3.  Roles and Responsibilities .......................................................................................... 10
Position/Role .................................................................................................................. 10
Responsibilities............................................................................................................... 10
4.  Action plans ................................................................................................................ 11
4.1.
The Australian Phases ....................................................................................... 11
4.2.
The Overseas Phase .......................................................................................... 11
Appendix A – The Nature of an Influenza Pandemic ....................................................... 27
Appendix B – Prevention and Control ............................................................................. 29
Appendix C – Social Distancing & Quarantine ................................................................ 33
Appendix D – Personal Protective Equipment ................................................................ 37
Appendix E – Glossary ................................................................................................... 39

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1.  Introduction
1.1.
Context
A human influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus subtype to which there is little
or no immunity emerges, is easily and rapidly spread between people and is capable of
causing severe disease in humans.  In the absence of immunity, the new subtype can rapidly
spread across the globe, causing worldwide epidemics or ‘pandemics’ with high numbers of
cases and deaths.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has studied the development of previous pandemics
and had developed a model of the phases of pandemic development to describe the global
situation (phases 1-6).  These phases can be grouped into three broad periods:
•  In the early or ‘interpandemic’ period (phases 0-2), a new form of the influenza virus
emerges in animals and risk of transmission to humans increases.
•  In the intermediate or ‘pandemic alert’ period (phases 3-5), the virus is first transmitted
to humans and starts to be transmit ed between humans in smaller and larger clusters
(geographical areas).
•  In the ‘pandemic’ period (phase 6), the virus is in its final pandemic form and spreads
easily between humans, causing widespread il ness and possibly deaths.

While Australia uses the same numbering system as the WHO, the six Australian phases
describe where the virus is: whether in overseas countries (OS) or in Australia (AUS).  The
Australian phases have been developed to guide Australia’s response and to enable actions
to be taken in Australia before a change of phase is declared b the WHO.
Pandemic influenza is a potentially global threat that all countries must prepare for. Well
planned and practical contingency measures can greatly reduce the impact of a pandemic
which by definition is associated with wide spread infection, extreme morbidity, and mortality
rates much higher than during those outbreaks of influenza we experience seasonally from
year to year.
Refer to the Appendices for further details regarding pandemic influenza.
1.2.
Objectives and Guiding Principles
The Pandemic Plan for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) outlines the
responsibilities, processes and actions to ensure that the organisation is able to continue to
deliver services. This forms part of the overall Business Continuity Management (BCM)
Framework.
The emergence of a pandemic would create significant challenges for the NDIA in continuing
to deliver its services and requires planning to ensure our business continuity and emergency
capability is able to meet such a challenge. Planning for an influenza pandemic is different
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1.5.
Pandemic Risks
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2. Scope
The scope of the Pandemic Plan is limited to key actions at each phase of a declared
pandemic. The Pandemic Plan covers NDIA regions, NDIA staf and contractors.
Considerations have been included in dealings with the public and participants.
2.1.
Structure of the Pandemic Plan
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2.2.
NECC Considerations
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3. Roles and Responsibilities
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4. Action plans
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Appendix B – Prevention and Control
If human to human infection is present in Australia, NDIA wil  implement a number of
prevention measures including increased work place cleaning, routine personal hygiene
practices, and increased social distancing.
Reducing the Risk: Basic Principles for Preventing the Spread of Influenza
Short of a vaccine, there are many simple ways people can substantially reduce the risk of
being infected by or spreading the influenza virus. These include:
•  Frequent  hand washing (hand hygiene), particularly after coming into contact with
people who might be infected.
•  Cough and sneeze etiquette.
•  In the event of a pandemic, wearing a simple surgical mask or other covering for the
nose and mouth (PPE).
•  Maintaining a physical distance from people who might be infected.
•  Household and workplace hygiene.
•  Staying home from work when unwell, and encouraging colleagues to do so.
Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is crucial to reducing the transmission of infectious agents. It is possibly the
most important means of infection control. Hand hygiene includes washing hands with soap
and water or cleaning hands with alcohol-based products (gels, rinses, foams) that can be
used without water.
•  If your hands are visibly soiled with respiratory secretions (phlegm, spit), you need to
wash them with soap (plain or antimicrobial) and water. Wash with soap and water,
scrubbing your wrists, palms, fingers and nails for 10-15 seconds. Rinse, and dry with
a clean, dry towel.
•  If there is no visible soiling, you might prefer alcohol-based products with an emollient.
They dry the skin less and can be more convenient.
•  Always wash your hands after contact with other people and after removing a mask or
gloves, if you have been wearing them.
•  In general, try to keep your hands away from your face.
•  When arriving at work.
•  Before, during and after food preparation.
•  After touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
•  Following sneezing.
•  After touching potentially contaminated surfaces, including other people.
Cough and Sneeze
If you must cough or sneeze, you should:
•  Cover your nose and mouth.
•  Use disposable tissues rather than your hands or a handkerchief (which could store
the virus).
•  Dispose of used tissues in the nearest waste receptacle, not in your pocket or
handbag.
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•  Tissues should be placed into the bin. It is important not to throw tissues in the bin as
throwing causes air to pass through the pores of the tissue and thus may transfer any
trapped virus from the tissue and into the inspirable air.
•  Wash your hands afterwards, or after touching used tissues
Basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) consists of tissues and masks (or mouth and nose
coverings) to prevent the spread of infection to others. Wearing a mask is particularly important
for people who are coughing.
Physical Distance
A very simple way of reducing the chance of being infected or passing on infection is to stand
or sit back from other people in public or the work place.  You should try to maintain a distance
of one meter, where possible. In a pandemic, you should try to avoid crowded gatherings,
especially in enclosed spaces. If you need to use public transport, it wil  be sensible to wear a
surgical mask or other PPE.
Workplace Hygiene
Individuals wil  be responsible for the cleanliness and hygiene of themselves and their
workstations. Common surfaces such as taps, doorknobs and tables should be disinfected
(once or twice daily). People should not share cups or utensils.
In the workplace:
•  have a supply of tissues available.
•  consider having conveniently located dispensers of alcohol-based hand rub.
•  provide pump pack soap and disposable towels near sinks for hand washing.
Do not visit people who have the flu, unless it is absolutely necessary.
Employee Health
An employee who suspects they have influenza should NOT present to work.  The employee
should notify a designated person or supervisor by telephone of their suspected or actual
diagnosis of influenza. Influenza il ness and leave wil  be managed as any other sickness.
Surface decontamination
•  The AHMPPI outlines the recommended agents for use to disinfect workplace
surfaces, so as to help minimise the transmission of influenza. The agents
recommended include the following:

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Appendix C – Social Distancing & Quarantine
Social distancing
Social distancing is the separation of people, designed to minimise the close contact which is
required for direct person to person transmission of the influenza virus between:
•  Staff and others during travel to and from work;
•  Among customers;
•  Between staff and customers; and
•  Among staff at work.
Distancing customers from staff
Protecting the health of staff by distancing them from customers is an important, yet difficult
component of a pandemic influenza management plan. In addition to minimising the number
of customers presenting to Departmental of ices and process for dealing with symptomatic
customers, further protection can be ensured to staff from customers by considering the
following:
•  Staff at counters should be positioned at least one meter away from  the customer
whom they are attending to.
•  If necessary, the customer may need to stand further away from the counter (e.g. by
having in place an additional barrier if there is a need to achieve a minimum separation
of one meter), rather than the Department needing to move their chair further back
from the workstation/ counter. This would minimise the potential for the precipitation or
aggravation of musculoskeletal injuries arising among staff as a result of non-
ergonomically sound computer work (i.e. arising from the incorrect positioning of
seating too far from the work station in an attempt to increase their distance from the
standing customer at the counter).
•  If the counters are not wide enough to ensure at least one meter barrier between staff
and customers, and the customers are thus forced to stand further away from the
counter, a number of confounding issues may arise. In particular, hearing impaired
people may not be able to discriminate the Department speech, and/or confidentiality
may be breached by the need to speak louder.
•  If private rooms are available, they should be utilised in preference to counter work, as
one may arrange the seating so as to ensure barrier of at least one meter. Furthermore,
the use of private rooms would reduce the breaching of confidentiality posed in the
above point.
•  The installation of temporary Perspex barriers (e.g. barriers used in banks) should be
considered, especially in locations where a one meter buffer cannot be guaranteed
between the employee and the customer.
Alternatively, if a one meter buffer is not present, and Perspex barriers are not practical, then
it may be necessary to provide all customers at the counter with a surgical face mask to
minimise aerosol spread of respiratory secretions.
Distancing between staff
Minimising close contact between staff is necessary to reduce the potential for person-to-
person spread of influenza at work. Such contact should be minimised while undertaking the
normal work duties, as well as during breaks.
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In order to minimise person to person spread of influenza at work, the following should be
considered:
•  The distance between staff sit ing at adjacent desks should be a minimum of one
meter. This barrier wil  minimise aerosol transmission of influenza from one staff
member to another.
•  Furthermore, the distance between a seated staff member and the desk of an adjacent
staff member should also be one meter. This wil  help minimise the potential of a staff
member transmitting influenza virus to the surface of an adjacent colleague’s desk if
he/she happen to sneeze or cough. If this is allowed to occur, then transmission of
influenza may occur as a result of a staff member touching the surface of their desk
(or equipment on it) on which the influenza virus has been deposited by an infected
adjacently seated asymptomatic (yet infectious) colleague.
•  Ensuring at least a one meter distance between adjacent desks and in particular
between staff should be achieved without the need to necessarily physically move such
workstations. That is, staff absences should be taken advantage of, with temporarily
unoccupied desks been used to increase the distance between staff in attendance.
•  Should the desk of an absent staff member be used so in this way the desk should be
adequately cleaned and decontaminated.
•  When employees return to work following confirmed influenza, they should be seated
at workstations interspersed between uninfected staff. That is, uninfected individuals
should be separated as far from each other as possible, by seating immune staff in
workstations between them, as the later cannot be reinfected and are also less likely
to be able to spread the disease. This process wil  aid in increasing the distance
between susceptible (non-immune) staff.
•  NDIA offices are typically designed with pods containing 4 or more work stations. A
barrier wall exists between adjacent pods to ensure privacy and to minimise noise.
This wall should be at least 30-40cm in height, so as to act as a barrier to aerosol
transmissions between staff in different but opposing workstations.
•  As the influenza virus can survive on surfaces for 24-48 hours, staff should be
encouraged to not share physical equipment such as computers, keyboards, mouse
or telephones. These should be decontaminated before they are assigned to another
employee.
•  Similarly, staff should not share stationery. This is also recommended for customers.
They should be provided with a pen or pencil and asked to discard it or take it with
them when they finished with it. Alternatively, to minimise cost, used stationery can be
placed in a separate container. As the influenza virus only survives on such surfaces
for about 48 hours, the stationery can be re-issued to the public after this time has
elapsed.
•  During the influenza pandemic, face-to-face staff interaction should be kept to a
minimum. Staff should aim to communicate with each other only via the use of email
or telephone.
•  Training that necessitates small or large groups of attendance in the same room should
be suspended or avoided.
•  Important meetings should be conducted via teleconferencing rather than in person. If
face-to-face meetings are unavoidable consider having them outside in the open air
and try to keep one meter from one another.
•  Develop guidelines and capability for business communication, written procedures and
information sheets for effective business and personal communication strategies
covering; meetings, teleconferencing, social events, staff amenity rooms, etc
During scheduled and non-scheduled breaks, employees should:
•  Avoid gatherings. This includes within the kitchen, breakout area or amenities rooms
•  Employees should sit as far from each other as possible
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•  Employees should refrain from equipment which may harbour the virus. They should
consider decontamination of these items before each use.
•  Staff should not share utensils. Always wash utensils before and after use and store
where others may not use them.
•  Beware of control taps at drinking fountains as an infected individual may have touched
the surface. Ensure it is decontaminated before use.
Isolation Vs Quarantine
Isolation refers to the separation of persons who have a specific infectious il ness from those
who are healthy and the restriction of their movement to stop the spread of that il ness.
Quarantine refers to the separation and restriction of movement of persons who, while not yet
il , have been exposed to an infectious agent and therefore may become infectious. Both
isolation and quarantine are public health strategies that have proven effective in stopping the
spread of infectious diseases.
Quarantine
Quarantine refers to the separation and restriction of movement of asymptomatic contacts
who may develop an infectious disease (e.g. influenza), while isolation refers to the separation
of cases of infectious disease (of influenza) from healthy people and the restriction of their
movement to stop the spread of the disease.
The nature of quarantine wil  depend on the Overseas and Australian Pandemic Phases.
Quarantine may be voluntary or mandatory and may be in a Hospital, other designated facility
or at home. During the Australian pandemic phases 3-5, quarantine and isolation is likely to
be very prescriptive.
If the individual has been at work, NDIA wil  be contacted and the close work and non-work
contacts (i.e. within one meter) wil  most probably be directed to leave work and quarantine
themselves at home until the incubation period of influenza (i.e. 7-10 days) is over.  It should
be noted that when pandemic influenza is initially identified in Australia, and the number of
cases are few, it would not be unusual for workplaces to be ordered to close for one week.
Duration of absence
s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies, s47C - deliberative content

Staff absences can be expected for many reasons:
•  Il ness/incapacity (suspected/actual/post-infectious);
•  Some may need to stay at home to care for il  family members;
•  Others may need to stay at home to look after children (as schools/child care centres
are likely to be closed);
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•  People may feel safer at home (e.g. to keep away from crowded places such as public
transport); and
•  Some people may be fulfil ing other voluntary roles in the community

Complications from influenza (e.g. pneumonia, ear infections, renal disease, myelitis,
polyneuritis, etc) would increase the duration of work absence, the duration of which cannot
be accurately predicted. Furthermore, recovery from influenza may be more prolonged among
employees with chronic medical conditions (e.g. cardiac il nesses, respiratory il nesses –
Asthma & Emphysema, Diabetes, etc) and/or with compromised immune system (e.g. HIV
infection, Cancer, Drug Induced – Staff taking prescribed corticosteroid medication, etc)

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Appendix D – Personal Protective Equipment
Respiratory protection using face masks is only one component of an overal  plan to minimise
transmission of influenza within the workplace during a pandemic. It is critical that NDIA
employees understand the benefits and limitations of face masks, and in particular that the
other control measures described previously (e.g. social distancing, hand washing, surface
decontamination, etc) are just as important.
Face Masks
Employees who develop symptoms at work should be given a mask to wear. This may prevent
suspected virus transmission.  Masks must be removed and disposed of safely when they
become moist or after coughing or sneezing. So as not to spread infection it is important that
masks are correctly applied, not touched or handled when worn and are correctly disposed of.
Surgical masks are designed to minimise the spread of respiratory secretions or droplets from
the person wearing the face mask to the surrounding environment. The masks do not
significantly protect the wearer from influenza containing aerosolised secretions transmitted
by others in their vicinity.
Respirators  are designed to filter the air being breathed in by the wearer. P2 particulate
respirators when used according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, are at least 95% effective
in filtering inspired air, and are the class of respiratory protection deemed by the WHO to
adequately filter influenza virus.  P3 particulate respirators are deemed to be even more
effective, and can therefore be considered for use in the event that P2 masks are unavailable.
If available, First Aid officers should be supplied with multiple P3 masks.
Tissues and Bins
Pedal bins are recommended in the event of a pandemic as they reduce the potential
transmission of the influenza virus when disposing of tissues. Tissues should always be
placed into the bin and not thrown as air that passes through the tissue can release any
trapped virus.
Thermometers
Thermometers should be used by First Aid officers to check the temperature of an employee
who isn’t feeling wel
Alcohol Wipes
Alcohol wipes should be used for telephone and keyboard cleaning

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Appendix E – Glossary
Absenteeism: Absenteeism is when people are absent from work s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies, s47C - deliberative content

AHMPPI:  Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza
Antiviral:  A type of drug used to help prevent or treat il nesses caused by some viruses,
including influenza.
Community transmission:  Community transmission is the passing of a disease from an
infected individual to another individual outside of a known group of contacts, and outside
health care settings.
Contain:  The process of stopping spread of il ness beyond a confined area. Key containment
measures for an influenza pandemic include border measures, quarantine or isolation, social
distancing, infection control, contact tracing and use of antivirals.
Cough and sneeze etiquette:  Measures individuals can take when we cough, sneeze or
blow our nose, to reduce the chance of spreading the virus. This is sometimes referred to as
respiratory hygiene.
Epidemic:  A sudden increase in the incidence of a disease affecting a large number of people
and spreading over a large area
Pandemic:  Epidemic on a global scale. Only Type A influenza viruses have been known to
cause pandemic.
Flu clinic:  Flu clinics are specially planned facilities that wil  be set up during a pandemic for
safe medical assessment and management of people with suspected pandemic influenza.
Hand hygiene:  A general term referring to any action of hand cleansing for example, hand
washing, antiseptic hand wash, antiseptic hand rub.
Influenza (the flu):  The flu is a highly contagious disease of the respiratory tract, caused by
influenza viruses.
Influenza Type A:  Type A influenza is an influenza virus that occurs in humans and animals.
Influenza Type B:  Type B influenza is an influenza virus that occurs only in humans.
Isolation:  Separation of infected persons (cases) from other people for the period they are
likely to be infectious, in order to prevent or limit the direct or indirect transmission of the virus.
NAPHIP:  National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic

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Personal protective equipment (PPE):  PPE is equipment that can be worn by an individual
to protect them or others from infection.
Preparedness:  Undertaking measures to ensure that the health sector is adequately
prepared for the event of an influenza pandemic.
Social Distancing:  A community level intervention to reduce normal physical and social
population mixing in order to slow the spread of a pandemic throughout society. Social
distancing measures include school closures, workplace measures, cancellation of  mass
gatherings, changing public transport arrangements and movement restrictions.
Quarantine (see also Isolation):  The limitation of freedom of movement for a period of time
of well persons who are likely to have been exposed to the virus (contact) to prevent their
contact with people who have not been exposed.
WHO:  World Health Organisation
Vaccine: Vaccine is a medication that stimulates the production of antibodies to protect
against a specific disease.
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DOCUMENT 3
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National Disability
Insurance Agency
Pandemic Plan
November 2018
Version 2.2
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Contents
1.  Introduction ................................................................................................................... 4
1.1.
Context ................................................................................................................. 4
1.2.
Objectives and Guiding Principles ........................................................................ 4
1.3.
Planning Hierarchy ............................................................................................... 5
1.4.
Phases of Pandemic Influenza ............................................................................. 6
1.5.
Pandemic Risks .................................................................................................... 8
2.  Scope ........................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.
Structure of the Pandemic Plan ............................................................................ 9
2.2.
NECC Considerations .......................................................................................... 9
3.  Roles and Responsibilities .......................................................................................... 10
Position/Role .................................................................................................................. 10
Responsibilities............................................................................................................... 10
4.  Action plans ................................................................................................................ 11
4.1.
The Australian Phases ....................................................................................... 11
4.2.
The Overseas Phase .......................................................................................... 11
Appendix A – The Nature of an Influenza Pandemic ....................................................... 27
Appendix B – Prevention and Control ............................................................................. 29
Appendix C – Social Distancing & Quarantine ................................................................ 33
Appendix D – Personal Protective Equipment ................................................................ 37
Appendix E – Glossary ................................................................................................... 39

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1.  Introduction
1.1.
Context
A human influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus subtype to which there is little
or no immunity emerges, is easily and rapidly spread between people and is capable of
causing severe disease in humans.  In the absence of immunity, the new subtype can rapidly
spread across the globe, causing worldwide epidemics or ‘pandemics’ with high numbers of
cases and deaths.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has studied the development of previous pandemics
and had developed a model of the phases of pandemic development to describe the global
situation (phases 1-6).  These phases can be grouped into three broad periods:
•  In the early or ‘interpandemic’ period (phases 0-2), a new form of the influenza virus
emerges in animals and risk of transmission to humans increases.
•  In the intermediate or ‘pandemic alert’ period (phases 3-5), the virus is first transmitted
to humans and starts to be transmit ed between humans in smaller and larger clusters
(geographical areas).
•  In the ‘pandemic’ period (phase 6), the virus is in its final pandemic form and spreads
easily between humans, causing widespread il ness and possibly deaths.

While Australia uses the same numbering system as the WHO, the six Australian phases
describe where the virus is: whether in overseas countries (OS) or in Australia (AUS).  The
Australian phases have been developed to guide Australia’s response and to enable actions
to be taken in Australia before a change of phase is declared by the WHO.
Pandemic influenza is a potentially global threat that all countries must prepare for. Well
planned and practical contingency measures can greatly reduce the impact of a pandemic
which by definition is associated with wide spread infection, extreme morbidity, and mortality
rates much higher than during those outbreaks of influenza we experience seasonally from
year to year.
Refer to the Appendices for further details regarding pandemic influenza.
1.2.
Objectives and Guiding Principles
The Pandemic Plan for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) outlines the
responsibilities, processes and actions to ensure that the organisation is able to continue to
deliver services. This forms part of the overall Business Continuity Management (BCM)
Framework.
The emergence of a pandemic would create significant challenges for the NDIA in continuing
to deliver its services and requires planning to ensure our business continuity and emergency
capability is able to meet such a challenge. Planning for an influenza pandemic is different
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1.5.
Pandemic Risks
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2. Scope
The scope of the Pandemic Plan is limited to key actions at each phase of a declared
pandemic. The Pandemic Plan covers NDIA States, NDIA staf and contractors.
Considerations have been included in dealings with the public and participants.
2.1.
Structure of the Pandemic Plan
s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies
2.2.
NECC Considerations
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3. Roles and Responsibilities
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4. Action plans
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• People may feel safer at home (e.g. to keep away from crowded places such as public
transport); and
• Some people may be fulfil ing other voluntary roles in the community

Complications from influenza (e.g. pneumonia, ear infections, renal disease, myelitis,
polyneuritis, etc) would increase the duration of work absence, the duration of which cannot
be accurately predicted. Furthermore, recovery from influenza may be more prolonged among
employees with chronic medical conditions (e.g. cardiac il nesses, respiratory il nesses –
Asthma & Emphysema, Diabetes, etc) and/or with compromised immune system (e.g. HIV
infection, Cancer, Drug Induced – Staff taking prescribed corticosteroid medication, etc)

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Appendix E – Glossary
Absenteeism: Absenteeism is when people are absent from work. s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies, s47C - delberative content

AHMPPI:  Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza
Antiviral:  A type of drug used to help prevent or treat il nesses caused by some viruses,
including influenza.
Community transmission:  Community transmission is the passing of a disease from an
infected individual to another individual outside of a known group of contacts, and outside
health care settings.
Contain:  The process of stopping spread of il ness beyond a confined area. Key containment
measures for an influenza pandemic include border measures, quarantine or isolation, social
distancing, infection control, contact tracing and use of antivirals.
Cough and sneeze etiquette:  Measures individuals can take when we cough, sneeze or
blow our nose, to reduce the chance of spreading the virus. This is sometimes referred to as
respiratory hygiene.
Epidemic:  A sudden increase in the incidence of a disease affecting a large number of people
and spreading over a large area
Pandemic:  Epidemic on a global scale. Only Type A influenza viruses have been known to
cause pandemic.
Flu clinic:  Flu clinics are specially planned facilities that wil  be set up during a pandemic for
safe medical assessment and management of people with suspected pandemic influenza.
Hand hygiene:  A general term referring to any action of hand cleansing for example, hand
washing, antiseptic hand wash, antiseptic hand rub.
Influenza (the flu):  The flu is a highly contagious disease of the respiratory tract, caused by
influenza viruses.
Influenza Type A:  Type A influenza is an influenza virus that occurs in humans and animals.
Influenza Type B:  Type B influenza is an influenza virus that occurs only in humans.
Isolation:  Separation of infected persons (cases) from other people for the period they are
likely to be infectious, in order to prevent or limit the direct or indirect transmission of the virus.
NAPHIP:  National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic

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National Disability
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Pandemic Plan
March 2020
Version 3.0
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Contents
1.  Introduction ................................................................................................................. 4
1.1.
Context ................................................................................................................ 4
1.2.
Purpose ............................................................................................................... 4
1.3.
Scope .................................................................................................................. 4
1.3.1.
Scope of NDIA pandemic planning activities ..................................................... 4
1.3.2.
Assumptions and Considerations ..................................................................... 5
2.  Planning approach ...................................................................................................... 5
2.1.
Ethical Framework ............................................................................................. 5
2.2.
National approach ................................................................................................ 6
2.2.1.
Roles and responsibility under the AHMPPI ..................................................... 6
2.2.2.
Communication ................................................................................................ 7
2.2.3.
Legal Framework .............................................................................................. 8
3.  Australian Pandemic Stages ...................................................................................... 8
3.1.
Triggers ............................................................................................................. 10
4.  The Agency’s Approach to Pandemic ..................................................................... 11
4.1.
Governance Structure ...................................................................................... 11
Position/Role ................................................................................................................ 11
Responsibilities ............................................................................................................ 11
Response Structure...................................................................................................... 12
5.  Action Plans, Roles & Responsibilities ................................................................... 14

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1.  Introduction
1.1.  Context
A human influenza pandemic occurs when a new or novel influenza virus subtype to which
there is little or no immunity emerges, is easily and rapidly spread between people and is
capable of causing severe disease in humans. In the absence of immunity, the novel virus can
rapidly spread, causing worldwide epidemics or ‘pandemics’ with high numbers of cases and
deaths.
Pandemic influenza is a potentially global threat for which all countries must prepare. Well
planned and practical contingency measures can greatly reduce the impact of a pandemic
which by definition is associated with wide spread infection, extreme morbidity and mortality
rates much higher than during those outbreaks of influenza experienced seasonally from year
to year.
1.2.  Purpose
The purpose of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Pandemic Plan (the
Pandemic Plan) is to guide the delivery of a proportionate and coordinated response in the
event of a declared pandemic in Australia.
The Pandemic Plan is flexible and outlines the Agency’s responsibilities in line with the whole
of government response. Recognising that it is not possible to pre-plan for all potential
scenarios. The plan identifies the minimum critical actions to be undertaken at each stage of a
pandemic. The Plan forms part of the overall Business Continuity Management (BCM)
Framework and incorporates relevant elements of the Agency’s hierarchy of business
continuity plans (BCPs).
1.3.  Scope
The Pandemic Plan references the Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic
Influenza (AHMPPI) 2019. The plan can be applied to seasonal influenza or any other
communicable disease that threatens the Agency’s service delivery and critical business
functions
The Pandemic Plan is designed to complement the AHMPPI and to define the Agency’s role
across the various stages of a pandemic.
1.3.1. Scope of NDIA pandemic planning activities
During a pandemic, the Agency’s plan will:
  Seek to minimise staff and participant exposure to the disease.
  Ensure  viability  of  critical  infrastructure  to  ensure  key  supports  and  services  can  be
continued.
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  Provide  a  flexible  range  of  response  options  for  service  delivery  appropriate  to  the
pandemic characteristics.
  Provide  appropriate  measures  to  ensure  funding  for  participant  plans  is  maintained
along with key services and supports in line with whole of government requirements.
  Inform  staff,  participants  and  stakeholders  of  pandemic  preparations  during  the
response to and recovery from a pandemic.
1.3.2.  Assumptions and Considerations
The Pandemic Plan is based on the following considerations:
  Pandemics  will  vary  in  their  severity  and  impact  on  the  community  and  essential
services.
  There will be a time lag between the identification of a novel virus, its entry to Australia,
and the declaration of a pandemic.
  Once the virus enters Australia, it is likely that it will progress at different rates in different
communities.
  The transition between the preparedness stage and the response stages will depend on
a range of variables which are difficult to predict and the stages will probably overlap.
  The Commonwealth Government is responsible for strategic coordination of pandemic
influenza policy and the related response and recovery mechanisms.
2.  Planning approach
2.1.  Ethical Framework
The following values must be upheld as part of an ethical framework in planning and
implementing all actions under this plan:

Equity: Recognising special needs, cultural values and religious beliefs of different members
of the community. This is especially important when providing information and supports to
vulnerable individuals, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people who
are culturally and linguistically diverse.
Individual liberty: Ensuring that the rights of the individual are upheld as much as possible
Privacy and confidentiality of individuals: Is important and should be protected. Under
extraordinary conditions during a pandemic, it may be necessary for some elements to be
overridden to protect others.
Proportionality: Ensuring that measures taken are proportional to the threat.
Protection of the public: Ensuring that the protection of the entire population remains a primary
focus.
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Stewardship and Trust: Ensuring leaders make good decisions based on best available
evidence in a timely manner and that those decision are communicated effectively.
2.2.  National approach
Australia’s approach to influenza pandemic is defined in the AHMPPI. The stages of response
outlined in the AHMPPI follow a strategic approach to emergency management with an
ongoing cycle of activities, primarily:
  Prevention
  Preparedness
  Response
  Recovery
In order to reflect changes in priorities as a pandemic progresses, activities within the
Response cycle are further divided in to three stages:
  Standby
  Initial Action and Targeted Action
  Standown
This plan aligns with the AHMPPI for an overview of the whole of Government priorities at
each stage.
2.2.1. Roles and responsibility under the AHMPPI
The AHMPPI encourages decision makers to implement a tailored and proportionate
response. The Commonwealth Government will maintain a National Health Plan and is
responsible for:
  Developing  and  maintaining  systems  to  monitor  communicable  disease  activity
domestically and internationally and for communicating relevant information.
  Ensuring the resources and systems required to mount an effective national response
are readily available.
  National  communication  to  the  public  and  health  sector  and  coordinate  the  national
Health Emergency Media Response Network.
  Reporting to and liaison with World Health Organisation.
  Coordinating national pandemic measures and allocate available resources across the
country
  Coordinating the stand down of the pandemic response.

States and Territories have primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining health
service responses within their jurisdiction and are responsible for:
  Collecting influenza surveillance data to contribute to the national picture and to inform
the jurisdictional public health response.
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  Preparing consistent and comprehensive jurisdictional operational plans and resources
that may be needed to manage a pandemic.
  Coordinating communication at state and local levels according to national guidance.

2.2.2. Communication
The Australian Government Department of Health (DoH) will provide the national health sector
emergency operations centre and will coordinate communication between Australian
Government Agencies via the National Incident Room (NIR).
During a pandemic the NIR will provide timely situation reports to relevant Australian
Government Agencies, state and territory health authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
DoH will also be responsible for the provision of consistent, comprehensive and timely public
messaging.
The table on the following page indicates the key Government stakeholders in information
sharing during a pandemic and their responsibilities.

Key Government Information Sharing Responsibilities
Department of
Will coordinate information sharing across jurisdictional (state and
Health
territory) health departments and other identified stakeholders.
Will coordinate information sharing at a national level. (Directly
to Australian Government agencies and to state and territory
governments through jurisdictional health departments.)
Will liaise with the World Health Organization, relevant international
health departments and organisations, and complete international
reporting obligations.
Australian
Will provide input to the Department of Health regarding activities
Government
undertaken by their agency or within their sector.
agencies
Will share Whole of Government information materials within their
agencies and with their ministerial offices.
State and territory
Will share information within their jurisdiction and with relevant local
governments
governments.  State and territory health departments will act as the
initial point of contact for national communication and will
disseminate information to other agencies.
Will provide input to the Department of Health regarding activities
undertaken within their jurisdiction.
Local government
Will share information with the community.
Will provide input to state and territory governments regarding
activities undertaken within their local area.
Australian
Will assist the Department of Health to disseminate information to
Government Crisis
Australian Government stakeholders.
Coordination Centre
(CCC)
Department of
Will share information with posts and overseas stakeholders.
Foreign Affairs and
Trade

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2.2.3. Legal Framework
Although Commonwealth biosecurity legislation and state and territory public health and
emergency response laws provide a legislative framework to underpin actions that may be
required, measures will rely on voluntary compliance rather than legal enforcement wherever
possible. The principal areas of legislation available to support response actions are:

  The Biosecurity Act 2015
  The National Health Security Act 2007
  Therapeutic Goods Act 1989

States and territories have legislative powers that enable them to implement biosecurity
arrangements within their borders and that complement Australian Government biosecurity
arrangements. They also have a broad range of public health and emergency response
powers available under public and emergency legislation for responding to public health
emergencies.

3.  Australian Pandemic Stages
The AHMPPI stages are independent of activation of whole-of-government or jurisdictional
plans.
The objectives in all stages will be to:
  Minimise transmissibility, morbidity and mortality
  Minimise the burden on health systems
  Inform, engage and empower the public.

To clearly show how the national approach will change over the course of responding to a
pandemic, the AHMPPI is divided into several stages.

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3.1.  Triggers
The AHMPPI is independent of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Phases, as
these give an overview of the global status of a pandemic but not a view of the situation within
Australia.
The decision to formally escalate the AHMPPI through each of its stages will be made by the
Chair of Australian Health Protection Principle Committee (AHPPC), in consultation with
AHPPC members.
AHPPC will assess the need for enhanced arrangements and determine the appropriate
AHMPPI stage.
The triggers that signal the need to consider escalation across the stages during a pandemic
are:
  Declaration of a pandemic by WHO
  Advice from a credible source that sustained community transmission of a novel virus
with pandemic potential has occurred
  Notification from a jurisdiction that assistance in responding to severe seasonal
influenza may be required, including an explanation of why the need cannot be met
from state/territory resources.

The decision to escalate at each stage is at the discretion of the Commonwealth Chief Medical
Officer. Operationally, however, the Agency has the ability to enact its plans ahead of the
Department of Health to meet critical business function needs and obligations to staff,
participants, participants and stakeholders.
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s47E(d) - certain operations of agencies, s47C - deliberative content