Changes to COVID-19 restrictions from Monday 18 October 2021
NSW has achieved over its 80% fully vaccinated target, and as a result, the NSW
Government has eased restrictions for COVID-19 double dose vaccinated people. As of
Monday 18 October 2021, changes to
Public Health (COVID-19 General) Orders 2021 came
into effect.
Changes to COVID-19 self-isolation rules
If you have been classified as a
close contact of someone with COVID-19:
- If you are fully vaccinated: get tested immediately and self-isolate for 7 days after
your last contact with the COVID-19 positive person. On day 6 get PCR tested
again. If you have no COVID-19 symptoms, and the test is negative, you can end
isolation after day 7. For the following 7 days, work from home where practicable,
do not attend hospitality settings or a high-risk setting (including FRNSW sites)
even if it is your place of work. Get another test on day 12.
- If you have not had two COVID-19 vaccinations, get tested immediately and self-
isolate for 14 days after your last contact with the COVID-19 positive person. On
day 12 get tested again. If you have no COVID-19 symptoms, and the test is
negative, you can end isolation after day 14.
If you have been classified as a
casual contact of someone with COVID-19:
- Get tested for COVID-19 immediately and self-isolate until you get a negative
PCR test result. You do not need to isolate after this test result unless you are
presenting with COVID-19 symptoms.
- Get PCR tested again on day 6 after your last contact with the COVID-19 positive
person. If you have no COVID-19 symptoms l, you do not need to self-isolate
while waiting for this test result.
This information has also been updated on our COVID-19 portal.
What does this mean for FRNSW?
Masks and QR codes
- Masks are stil required in all indoor settings except office buildings, however
FRNSW still strongly encourages wearing of masks in office buildings including
Greenacre HQ, ESA office area, Zone/Area Command offices, fire stations,
Greenacre workshop, ESA training areas, regional training centres and
communication centres.
- COVID Safe check-in via Service NSW QR code is still required in all locations.
- FRNSW staff who wish to continue to wear masks in outdoor settings are strongly
encouraged to do so.
-
COVID-19 PPE requirements remain for all incidents.
Vaccination status
- All FRNSW staff must have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine by Friday 17
December 2021.
- All FRNSW staff must provide their COVID-19 vaccination details via ESS as soon as
they are reasonably able and by COB Friday 17th December.
- As of Friday 15 October 2021, more than 3000 FRNSW staff have had two doses of
COVID-19 vaccinate and have uploaded their vaccination status to ESS.
Information for FRNSW Duty Commanders / Managers / Supervisors
- FRNSW corporate / administrative staff who have not had two COVID-19
vaccinations should continue to work from home.
- FRNSW operational staff who have not had two COVID-19 vaccinations are to
continue to report for duty. It is not reasonably practicable for operational staff to
work from home.
- Al FRNSW staff are strongly encouraged to participate in FRNSW’s COVID-19
surveil ance PCR testing program and have a COVID-19 test every 7 days.
- All FRNSW staf classified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 and who
have not had two COVID-19 vaccinations will still be required to be in isolation for the
designated 14-day period specified within the Health Order.
- Changes have been made in ESS to allow Duty Commanders / managers /
supervisors to view the COVID-19 vaccination status of all staff who report to them
(status information only, no personal information).
- Changes have been made in SAM to reflect these changes as from 10 October 2021
(i.e., E-recall will no longer exclude firefighters who are not compliant with the
previous Public Health Order restrictions)
Thank you for your ongoing support and adherence to the current NSW Public Health
Order.
