COVID 19 Report

REPORT | October - November 2020

New research reveals the ugly truth about worker attitudes

Job security tops COVID symptoms

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

ALARMING new figures show 70% of Aussies admit they would still present to work with cold or flu symptoms despite the COVID-19 crisis.

Th e eye opening new research has revealed that, as more people head back to the workplace, the COVID-19 pandemic may surge again in Western Sydney.

Th e fi ndings come from an independent survey of a nationally representative panel of 1000 Australian employees, commissioned by Cleancorp (cleancorp.com) – a specialist Australian anti-viral cleaning company that has helped hundreds of organisations keep their workplaces and communities safe during the pandemic.

Th e Australian Government has told Australians to stay home and get tested for COVID-19 if they feel unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, even mild ones.

Even so, research from Cleancorp found that more than half of Aussies would present to work with a headache. Although a stuff y nose, runny nose, sore throat, tingly throat, or fatigue could be early symptoms of COVID-19 or the fl u, an equal 38% of respondents said they would still go into the offi ce with these symptoms.

And 32% would present to work with a cough, 22% would do so with a stomach ache, and a fi ft h would go in with muscle or body aches and chills. It seems that under-30s would be more likely to present to work with cold or fl u symptoms. Half would do so with a sore or tingly throat, 46% with a runny or stuff y nose, 40% with a cough, 27% with a stomach ache, and 18% with nausea – all higher proportions than the total respondent average. When asked to reveal why they would present to work with these symptoms, the most common answer was that the symptoms were not serious enough to justify taking time off work. Almost half said it was because they would have too much on at work, with no one else available to do their job.

And 29% think their employer won’t regard their symptoms as serious enough, while an equal 24% don’t want to use up their sick leave or say they will have pressure from their employer to present to work.

Th e survey results highlight an issue concerning casual and contract workers, who do not receive payment for sick or annual leave. More than a fi ft h of survey respondents admit they would present to work with cold or fl u symptoms because they cannot aff ord to not get paid. With more than 2.6 million casual workers in Australia, this indicates that 546,000 casual workers would present to work with symptoms.

Casual workers are predominantly employed in retail, social assistance services, construction, health, education and road transport – workplaces that, especially in the current coronavirus climate, are generally diffi cult to operate with workers in self-isolation.

Casual workers are a concern

Co-Founder and Director at Cleancorp Lisa Macqueen said: “Now that we are facing the genuine threat of a virus ‘double whammy’ – COVID-19 and the fl u – it is more important than ever not to go to work when feeling unwell.”

“Our fi ndings reveal that many employees come to work when sick because of feelings of guilt or a fear of being judged by their bosses. However, now that we’re in a pandemic, going to work sick because you feel obliged to is no longer acceptable.

“As a signifi cant proportion of employees re-enter their workplaces – either partially or fully – organisations must do everything they can to minimise the risks of viruses spreading among their employees, customers, and visitors.

“Employers need to understand that shared desks, meeting rooms and breakout spaces may no longer be safe to use and occupy and those old spray-and-wipe principles will also be inadequate for keeping surfaces virus-free.

“Instead, using the right equipment, chemicals, and deep-cleaning processes is more important, with a focus on frequently disinfecting ‘shared touchpoints,’ such as door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, and microwaves.

“While it is encouraging to see that many of our clients are asking for heavy-duty anti-viral cleans, we need to see a strong shift towards a ‘stay at home if you’re unwell’ mentality to contain the coronavirus successfully.”

Type of symptom % of workers that would come to work with said symptom, even if they are minor

A mild headache 54% A sore throat or tingly throat 38% Runny or stuff y nose 38% Fatigue 38% A cough 32% Stomach ache 22% Muscle or body aches and chills 20% Nausea 14% A low-grade fever 10%

Q. What would be your reason for coming to work if you had the above symptoms?

I don’t think these symptoms are serious enough to take time off work 58% Too much on at work, and no one else available to do my work if I 42% take sick leave My employer won’t think these symptoms are serious enough to take time off work Too much pressure from my employer to come to work 24% Don’t want to use up my sick leave, or have no sick leave left 24% I don’t get paid if I take sick leave 21%

Thanks a million: COVID cleaners step up

MORE than one million extra cleaning hours have been carried out across the entire public transport network since March to keep customers and staff COVID safe.

Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said more than 1,400 extra cleaners have been employed to support the delivery of a COVID safe public transport system.

“Six months ago we pledged to keep our customers and staff as safe as possible on public transport and support the return to a COVID Safe economy.

“Reaching the amazing milestone of one million extra cleaning hours not only shows our commitment to slowing the spread of the virus but our enhanced cleaning regime has provided a lifeline for those who found themselves out of work due to the virus.

“Many of our new contract cleaners for Sydney Trains have come from diff erent industries, including hospitality, teaching and engineering, and are not only keeping the network COVID-safe but are also able to continue working in their local communities and I thank them for all of their hard work,” Mr Constance said.

Minister for Regional Transport Paul Toole said the NSW Government’s $250M Cleaning Stimulus has seen cleaning ramped up across the regional bus and train public transport network.

“It’s critical that our customers feel safe and that’s why we’ve increased our cleaning regime including rolling out dedicated cleaners on busy bus routes in Tweed Heads and vehicle sanitisation stations for point to point transport providers in Albury, Dubbo, Newcastle, Tweed Heads, Tamworth and the Central Coast,” Mr Toole said.

“From bushfi res, to fl oods, to COVID-19, this has been a very tough time for the people in regional NSW and we thank everyone who has been on the frontline to help keep our communities safe and connected.”

War chest to restart events sector

THE Federal Government will inject $50M to help restart Australia’s vital business events sector.

Businesses will be encouraged to att end events, trade shows and conferences within Australia through grants to help cover the costs associated with exhibiting such as the hire of exhibition spaces, the design and manufacture of displays, travel and accommodation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s lucrative $36B business events sector had virtually ground to a halt during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Gett ing business events up and running again will be a critical part of the recovery of our tourism industry but will also have huge fl ow-on eff ects through the entire economy,” Prime Minister Morrison said.

“Th is is not only about supporting events companies and venues, but will also be a shot in the arm for a broad range of businesses and the people they employ - whether it’s accommodation providers, those who build exhibitions, caterers, cleaners or those off ering audio-visual services.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the program would provide opportunities and encourage businesses from regional Australia to att end events in their own backyard.

“With many international trade shows out of reach for the time being, making it less expensive and easier for regional businesses to att end events in Australia will also present new opportunities to connect with and secure new customers,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Business events encourage domestic travel and the more events we can lock in, the more people we can get fl owing through our airports, on planes and staying in hotels around the country.”

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the sector had been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic with around 95 per cent of business events for 2020 either cancelled or postponed.

Sector doing it tough

“Our business events sector is doing it incredibly tough at present and gett ing events put back into the calendar will help this key part of our tourism industry which supports around 230 000 jobs turn the corner,” Minister Birmingham said.

“By incentivising att endance by exhibitors this should give event companies and organisers across Australia the confi dence they need to move ahead with the planning of business events.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the investment would also make businesses more resilient.

“Many Australian businesses are looking to each other to strengthen their supply chains, to prevent the shocks they experienced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Andrews said.

Under the Business Events Exhibitor Grants program, Australian businesses exhibiting at an approved business meeting, convention, conference and incentives event in 2021 will be able to apply for upfront grants to cover up to 50 per cent of their costs ($10,000 - $250,000).

Th is initiative is part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s $1B COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund, which is supporting regions, communities and industry sectors severely aff ected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, go to: www.austrade.gov. au/australian/tourism/tourism-and-business/ grants

Supermarket trading regulations extended

SUPERMARKETS and pharmacies can continue to trade and receive deliveries 24 hours a day as rules introduced by the NSW Government have been extended until next year.

Th e Government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in March by amending the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 to allow aroundthe-clock trading and delivery hours as well as the extension of café and restaurant take away capabilities.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the orders will be extend-ed for another six months until March 25, 2021.

“Our quick response to the immediate challenges of the pandemic ensured every-one had access to essential household goods, businesses remained viable and the economy kept ticking,” Mr Stokes said.

“Six months down the track it’s obvious we still need this fl exibility. Th e pandemic has taught us that we can be nimble and reduce red tape where necessary.

“We have to live with the virus for a litt le while yet, so we’ve extended these orders and will review them before the new expiry date in March next year.”

Mr Stokes added that extended operating hours for the construction industry, intro-duced to ensure COVID Safe working conditions, will also continue.

“Th e construction industry is a key driver for jobs growth during the recession so we needed to fi nd ways to support it while keeping workers safe from the virus,” he said.

Since March, the NSW Government has issued eight Ministerial orders under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to: - Extend retail trading, delivery and waste removal hours; - Allow home businesses to operate 24 hours a day;

- Provide more fl exible conditions for takeaway food and beverage facilities, food trucks and ‘dark kitchens’; - Allow construction sites to operate the same hours on weekends and public holi-days as they would on weekdays; - Permit temporary pop up cycleways within the City of Sydney; and - Allow temporary vehicle sanitisation stations to be built to provide professional cleaning for taxis, Ubers and community transport vehicles.

Further information on the Planning Ministerial orders can be found here: https://www.planning.nsw. gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/COVID19-response

School, sport, music restrictions relaxed

MORE families can attend community sports, music ensembles and school camps can proceed, and a modest increase dancing at weddings is allowed under new COVID-19 safety rules.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the latest easing of restrictions around school and community life is due to lower case numbers.

“While we are by no means out of the woods, low case numbers give health authorities the confi dence to allow mums and dads back onto the sideline,” Mr Hazzard said.

“NSW Health has also given the green light for up to 20 people in the offi cial Wedding Party to take to the dance fl oor, where previously only the happy couple were permitt ed.”

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the updated health advice comes as NSW schools prepare for a two-week break before returning for the fi nal term of 2020.

“Everyone is committ ed to providing a safe environment for children, students and staff and these changes will ensure COVIDsafe celebrations can happen,” she said.

“Schools have done an incredible job, and it’s exciting to see things returning closer to normal. However, we need to stay vigilant.”

Changes to Term 4 school guidelines include: • Community Languages Schools

Program will recommence face to face learning; • Interschool activities can recommence on September 26 where there is a COVID-19 Safety Plan

in place; • Playing wind instruments, singing and chanting is permitted with strict restrictions; • Year 6 formals and graduations are permitted; • High school formals are permitted from 12 November to limit any

HSC disruption; and • Kindergarten orientation, Year 7 transition, excursions and camps can resume with strict guidelines.

Musical ensembles can also resume, as long as players keep a 1.5 metre distance from one another, or three metres for players of non-reeded woodwind instruments.

Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the changes to community sport will be a welcome relief for parents.

“From this weekend, more than one parent may now att end community sporting activities if physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres can be maintained between people that are not from the same household,” Mr Lee said.

“We know the last few months has been hard on families who want to see their kids score a try or kick a goal on the weekend.

“I would like to thank all the parents and volunteers in community sport for their commitment to following the guidelines to help keep our community safe.”

Accommodation facilities and overnight event organisers should develop and implement a COVID-19 Safety Plan. All carpooling should continue to be avoided.

Th ere is no restriction on school holiday travel within NSW for people who live within the State however, anyone who is unwell should defer travel plans and get tested.