What you need to know

• Chief Executives of disability organisations are now able to determine based on a risk assessment whether asymptomatic close contacts can return.
• These changes are expected to allow disability service providers to manage their workforce in accordance with the management protocols.

The South Australian Department of Human Services has provided advice on the recent changes made to COVID-19 close contact rules for South Australian organisations.

There are significant changes to managing the risks associated with close contact staff returning to work in disability organisations - Chief Executives of disability organisations are now able to determine based on a risk assessment whether asymptomatic close contacts can return. These changes are expected to allow disability service providers to manage their workforce in accordance with the management protocols.

As of 12:01 am on Saturday, 30 April, the following rules have come into effect from a close contact's exposure in three separate tiers. Disability services are provided across all tiers.

Tier 1 (including disability and residential aged care facilities, and public or private hospitals)

The requirements are that staff from a disability care facility (Supported Independent Living Service or a Supported Residential Facility) do not attend one of these settings for 14 days unless there is compliance with the new protocol for the Management of Close Contact Disability Care Facility Frontline Workers [PDF]. This allows for an asymptomatic close contact to return to work and is now a decision for each disability support service CEO (or equivalent). Certain conditions must still be met in order for this decision to be made as outlined in detail in the document. This decision needs to be made in response to workforce strain.

Close contacts must:

• Not have ongoing exposure to a COVID-19 case.
• Return a negative PCR test prior to returning to work (if circumstances deemed exceptional, can return whilst awaiting PCR result as long as that day's RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) is negative and may continue if PCR negative).

Any implementation of the new protocol must be reported to SafeWork SA within five working days of introduction.

The requirements of a Tier 1 also include:

• Undertake five Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) during the seven-day window.
• Wear masks for seven days after your exposure.
• Report your rapid antigen test results if you test positive.
• Not attend other Tier 1 sensitive settings for 14 days after your exposure date, except for the purposes of obtaining medical care or medical supplies.
• Notify your employer that you are a close contact.
• Get a PCR test as soon as any symptoms develop and quarantine until you receive a result. If the result is negative, you must continue to follow the above guidelines.

Tier 2 (healthcare services other than those provided in Tier 1 sensitive settings such as GP, allied health services, day options, specialist services or practices, pharmacies, community health services including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, pathology and radiology services, mental health services, disability and rehabilitation settings).

For the disability sector this includes settings such as allied health clinics, therapy services and disability day options. The requirements are that staff do not attend one of these settings for seven days unless there is compliance with the protocol for the management of close contact healthcare workers who work in Tier 2 sensitive settings [PDF]. This allows for an asymptomatic close contact to return to work and is now a decision for each disability support service CEO (or equivalent). Certain conditions must still be met in order for this decision to be made as outlined in detail in the document. This decision needs to be made in response to workforce strain.

The requirements of a Tier 2 also include:

• Undertake five Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) during the seven-day window.
• Wear masks for seven days after your exposure. · Report your rapid antigen test results if you test positive.
• Not attend other Tier 2 sensitive settings for 7 days after exposure date, except for the purposes of obtaining medical care or medical supplies.
• Notify your employer that you are a close contact.
• Get a PCR test as soon as any symptoms develop and quarantine until you receive a result. If the result is negative, you must continue to follow the above guidelines.

General community (other than residential disability services)

This would include disability services such as in-home support, where workers visit a person in their own home or deliver community based services. The requirements for employees to return to work where they have been deemed a close contact include:

• Undertake five Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) during the seven-day window.
• Wear masks when leaving the house and entering public spaces for seven days after your exposure.
• Prohibited from visiting high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care and correctional facilities.
• Avoid non-essential gatherings.
• Avoid contact with people immunocompromised and at risk of severe illness. (Providers would need to complete a risk assessment before allowing a worker to return)

Though masks are no longer required in public settings, the mandate to wear them in high-risk environments such as hospitals, aged care, disability and correctional facilities, remains in place.

Further advice and guidance in relation to the requirements for close contacts working within a hospital, residential aged care facility, disability, corrections and other health care to safely return to work is available on the SA Health website.

With regards to the management of close contact clients within multiple resident settings, please refer to SA Health's requirements for close contacts and COVID-19 cases on their website.

Article sourced from National Disability Services