Temporary exemption from close contact quarantine for critical workers in critical industries
We understand that close contact isolation requirements have created a challenge for our members' businesses.
This afternoon, the Premier announced a new framework, introducing a process for certain industries to apply for certain critical workers to be exempt from the isolation period. This includes pharmacies and we are seeking further clarification on aspects of the framework.
This framework is a contingency framework only.
It only applies to businesses within identified sectors (below). Currently it cannot provide exemptions in advance of shortage issues arising. The exemptions process only becomes available once there is a critical shortage of staff due to the quarantine requirement for close contacts.
A business may only consider having a close contact return to work when staff shortages are impacting critical supply of goods or services in identified critical industries, and all other reasonable solutions to the shortage have been investigated.
This is not a risk free process and there is a substantial responsibility for businesses to understand and mitigate the risk of having close contacts in the workplace.
The identified sectors are:
- Emergency services, including Tasmania Fire Service, Tasmania Police and State Emergency Services;
- Health Services at private hospitals and day procedure centres;
- Essential service workers at prisons, detention centres or correctional facilities;
- Power, utilities and essential infrastructure services;
- Government run and contracted transport services;
Commercial laundry and cleaning services (note – not in residential premises);
- Manufacturing, freight, logistics, warehousing and distribution services, relating to the supply, storage and provision of essential goods and services. This includes the packaging and stocking of supermarkets and grocery stores, butchers, bakeries, greengrocers, chemists and pharmacies;
- Workers in the freight, logistics, distribution and warehousing of mail and post, including courier and distribution services; and
- Agriculture and aquaculture services, including but not limited to services relating to biosecurity and food safety, food and fisheries production.
The Premier’s announcement today specifically mentioned Pharmacy businesses and can be read here: Continuing our transition to live with COVID-19 The registration form will be available from 12 noon tomorrow, Friday 14th January.
Please see the Tasmanian Coronavirus website for all of the information on this process.
Members are encouraged to provide feedback to the Branch Director so we can ensure that this process meets the needs of our members and is not onerous on top of everything else.
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Changes to obtaining a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)
The Tasmanian Department of Health has advised that from 12 noon tomorrow, (Friday 14 January), the process for eligible people to access a rapid antigen test (RAT).
The following information can assist with fielding questions from the public (separate to the pharmacy RAT program). Members are encouraged to also provide messaging on their social media pages to help direct people to information on the new process
From 12 noon tomorrow (Friday 14 January) eligible people will need to register their details via an online registration form on the Coronavirus Website. Once registered an SMS will be sent providing details on where the allocated RAT test can be collected from.
This message must be shown on arrival, people will not be able to collect a RAT without registering online. Anyone who is unable to register online can call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 for assistance.
RATs are available for free to anyone who is symptomatic, a close contact of a confirmed case or has been directed by Public Health to take one.
Anyone who returns a positive test result must register their details via the online declaration form to ensure they can access assistance from Public Health. Registering details is also required to access available financial assistance.
From Friday 21 January, the Tasmanian Government, in partnership with Australia Post, will be providing contactless delivery of RAT kits to people who live in regional and rural areas, or to people who are unable to travel to a collection centre and are unable to have another person collect a RAT on their behalf.
If a person cannot access or use a RAT they should organise a PCR test at a testing clinic or GP clinic.
For more information on COVID-19 testing options see Where to get tested or call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
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TGA Warning About Repackaging or Relabelling COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a warning that repackaging of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) by retailers for sale would be in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
A reminder that rapid antigen tests should not be repackaged or split for selling unless authorised by the sponsor or manufacturer. The TGA will investigate potential breaches and significant penalties apply.
For further information, please visit: www.tga.gov.au/covid-19-rapid-antigen-tests-information-manufacturers-and-sponsors.
In case you missed the Guild's recent alert regarding the allowable markups on RATs, you can read a copy of the alert here.
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Guild Industry & COVID-19 Webinar
This week's Industry and COVID-19 webinar provided an update on the vaccine rollout, the commencement of paediatric Pfizer immunisations, rapid antigen tests and training opportunities available for pharmacist vaccinators.
If you could not make it on Tuesday night or would like to share the experience with those that could not, you can do so by watching it here.
The presentation slides from the webinar can be downloaded here
Disclaimer: The information in this recording is current based on best available information at the time of publishing. State and territory legislation is subject to change. It is your responsibility to ensure you are familiar with the legislation in your jurisdiction.
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Community Opioid Replacement Therapy Dosing – COVID-19 positive cases
ADS is experiencing increased numbers of clients on ORT that are requiring assistance with dosing arrangements. The following contingency plan has been developed for when a client cannot attend their community pharmacy for ORT dosing due to being a positive case of Covid-19, or they are required to be in isolation as a close contact.
- Prescribers should contact their community pharmacy to see if they have capacity to do home delivery ORT to a client.
- If the pharmacy is unable to assist, does the client have a suitable agent who is able to collect their ORT on behalf of them.
- If pharmacies are unable to assist and there is no suitable agent, clients that are able to drive safely and directly to pharmacy can temporarily leave isolation where medication will be dropped onto the bonnet of their car with appropriate framework of social distancing and PPE. ORT is an essential medication, so the aim is to continue treatment.
- Public Health is the point of contact for clients requiring alternative accommodation which may help facilitate ORT dosing as medi hotels are more geographically centralised. Phone 1800 671 738.
- If all options have been exhausted contact ADS Pharmacotherapy to discuss assistance for delivery of ORT, noting that ADS have limited capacity to do this. Phone ADS South 6166 0786, ADS North 6777 1234.
Please refer to the attached Alert previously circulated to members providing ORT services.
To cover the costs associated with delivery members should review this information Delivery of Opioid Pharmacotherapy | Mental Health which explains the fees associated with delivery and how to claim.
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COVID-19 Resources
The Guild website carries a wide range of resources for members to utilise in their pharmacies and through their social media channels. Click here to find out more.
The Guild website also includes all slides, links, recordings and other resources associated with the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out webinar series. Most are open-access resources available for everyone, and some are in the Members-only area of the website.
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