Critical workers exempt from self-isolation conditions

Critical food and logistics workers will be allowed to leave self-isolation if their jobs entail important food production or logistics duties. The change comes as the food supply chain continues to waver in the face of increasing COVID-19 cases driven by the highly infectious Omicron variant.

There are numerous conditions that workers called back under these circumstances are subject to. They are required to wear masks at all times (aside from eating, drinking and for safety purposes), must travel to and from work and their residence without detour, have to undergo daily rapid antigen tests and must self-isolate if they develop any symptoms of COVID-19.

The list of workers for whom this exemption applies is quite broad but generally refers to those who manufacture and produce foods and beverages or are responsible for their transport and warehousing. Also exempt are food safety and biosecurity personnel and emergency workers.

Workers who are otherwise able to work from home or whose absence will not cause disruption to the supply chain are not exempt from self-isolation requirements.

Read through this document for further details about the nature of the exemptions.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Minerva Studio