Community Services Industry Communique (COVID-19 Recovery) 02-12-21

Community Services Industry Communique: COVID-19 Recovery Statewide Meeting 6 December 2021

1. Living in a COVID Vaccinated Community – Planning for Borders Opening 15 December 2021 John Harkin, Manager, COVID Recovery Branch and Simon Roberts, COVID-19 Emergency Coordination Centre, Department of Health

Update on Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grant •

Premier announced new eligibility to cover casual employees, who as a result of COVID-19 testing or enforced isolation lose shifts or are unable to get leave (subject to other eligibility criteria)

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The Tasmanian government has coordinated with the Australian government with the pandemic leave disaster payment so that eligible people may be also able to receive grants up to $1500 over a fortnight, if necessary.

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Further detail and information will be released on the coronavirus website soon.

Update on Check in Tas card • To address digital access and literacy concerns brought about by Check in Tas app, the government has launched the Check in Tas card.

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This is a printed wallet card that contains a unique QR code, which you can apply for through by filling out a form on the coronavirus website, or calling the Public Health Hotline - 1800 671 738.

Responses to questions from the industry Vaccinations:

1. Organisations are hearing there is a new compliance deadline to have received a second vaccine dose for all mandated workers before 8 January 2022. Can you confirm this?

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Yes. The most recent public health direction provides a deadline for two doses before 8 January.1

a) What does that mean for first doses? Is there a hard deadline on these also?

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There is no mandated date for first doses. However, if you work back the three weeks recommended between Pfizer doses, to be fully vaccinated before 8 January you would need to have received a first dose by the 17th December.

See page 5, paragraph (i) 1

b) What happens to those who were operating on the assumption (previously confirmed) that having an appointment was enough meet compliance obligations?

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The Director of Public Health determined that the change to direction was necessary to ensure sufficient protection. There were some people making appointments, cancelling, rescheduling to avoid receiving the required vaccinations.

c) Is there any allowance or process to fast-track vaccination appointments for mandated workers who aren’t yet on track for this deadline?

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There should be no need, as there sufficient capacity at vaccination clinics, and there is still have time for individuals to receive a full course of vaccinations within the required timeline.

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If you experience any difficulties accessing appointments, contact the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or the Department of Health and we will see what we can do to help out.

2. Vaccination has been mandated for staff and volunteers in most community services in preparation for COVID-19 in our community post December 15. This is raising questions regarding non-vaccinated clients and the preparedness of providers to provide services to unvaccinated clients. Are there specific guidelines for this?

3. How are organisations to manage safety plans for non-vaccinated clients, in services ranging from residential support to counselling? Example policies or advice would be useful.

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Organisations have an obligation to provide a safe workplace for employees and clients.

Organisations should be updating their COVID Safety Plans regularly to ensure they are complying with public health requirements and safeguarding the health and safety of their workforce and clients.

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The Tasmanian government has not provided specific guidance on refusing service to unvaccinated clients or service users, but other jurisdictions and organisations have provided some guidance. You can access this below:

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Managing Vaccines in the workplace, Not-for-profit Law

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COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and TCCI

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Guide to Risk Assessment: COVID-19 Management and Vaccination Policy, NCOSS

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Attachment to the Guide – Vax Risk Assessment, NCOSS

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Vax FAQ – Vax Risk Assessment, NCOSS

You can also discuss with the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Workplace Advice Business Hotline by calling 1300 559 112 or emailing hr@tcci.com.au.

4. There are many concerns around social cohesion in small communities where people are unvaccinated, and may be feeling isolated. Is there any planning being done around this? Is it something that is being considered by the Regional Recovery Committees?

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This is definitely being considered, and is a recurring main theme in the Regional Recovery Committees. Responses to the issue fall mainly within the remit of Communities Tasmania. It is a key impact which can lead to many other complications, and that it’s best to nip it in the bud early.

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The main challenge is to determine what intervention should be put in place. Responses need to be tailored for communities, and could include, for example transport, provision of food, neighbourhood hubs, counselling services.

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The Recovery team have been looking at gaps and trying to predict likely impacts to guide responses. Some are being developed as we speak, no detail at present. Within a few weeks, expect more information/detail within recovery activities

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There is also additional promotion being done of A Tasmanian Lifeline and Check in Tas remote services, which will ramp up in the coming weeks.

Living with COVID – planning and outbreak management

5. With our mandatory vaccine requirements, an unintended consequence is a loss of a percentage of the community services workforce. Regional Tas is likely to be impacted the hardest, particularly with volunteers. We don’t have exact data but anecdotally organisations are reporting low numbers that are still creating an impact. Is there a plan when organisations have workforce shortages and business continuity have not mitigated this? a) What happens when you add a potential outbreak and subsequent workforce effect on top of this?

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This issue is being raised by many, particularly those who are volunteer reliant. CTST, for example, is expecting up to 30% loss of volunteer workforce once borders open.

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Individual organisations must work to recognise their vulnerabilities and put in place plans to address these. Where there are likely gaps – communicate these with the COVID recovery branch and your funding agreement managers. The capacity of the COVID recovery branch to address all is limited, but identifying issues will help to target work where it’s needed.

6. Concerns have been raised about how increased pressures on the healthcare system and mental health system will impact on people in communities. There will likely be an increased demand on community-based services also. What additional capacity or resourcing is available for community based services who will be supporting people directly particularly in the area of Food security, Family violence, alcohol and other drug support, health and wellbeing support? a) Also what do referral pathways look like for people needing access to Government services who are already stretched?

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The Department of Communities is currently undertaking work to look for gaps and provide additional resources where needed. There are specific areas being considered, with a targeted, priority approach being taken. More information on this will follow in the coming weeks.

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John will pass the question on referral pathways to MHADD for a response.

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7. There is a need for community services-specific support and guidance – particularly for small and medium orgs to navigate through the next phase to solidly prepare for case outbreak management, and to respond to increased (unknown) demand. Organisations are under pressure with business continuity planning and progressing mandatory vaccinations of staff and volunteers. Is any support available?

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Any helpful support would need to be tailored and very specific. In certain circumstances it would be available, but it would need to be specific. If this is relevant to you, please communicate your particular, specific needs with your funders, with TasCOSS and/or directly to the COVID Recovery Branch.

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You can also discuss COVID-related Human Resources and Work Health and Safety matters with the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Workplace Advice Business Hotline by calling 1300 559 112 or emailing hr@tcci.com.au.

8. What consideration has been given to ensuring regular, clear, consistent communications regarding the COVID situation that are in plain English, in language/translated, and easily adaptable by those in our sector to distribute to our clients/communities?

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John will refer this question to the Public Information Unit (PIU).

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They have produced many resources in a range of languages. If you have any specific feedback on what needs to improve, please flag it because we can always do better.

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Speak Out also produces the Easy Read for Communities Tasmania communications.

Notification of these and their location on website(s) is done by Jessie Speight.

9. What are the requirements for transporting clients post 15 December, when COVID is in the community?

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This falls under the safe workplace requirement as an employer responsibility. Organisations should cover this with reasonable precautions in their COVID safety plan, following the advice of WorkSafe Tasmania.

10. Is there a backup stockpile/supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) accessible to organisations in high-risk settings (e.g. health care, disability and in home and aged care) in the event of a case or outbreak?

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The Department of Health has its own stockpile for use in healthcare settings and hotel quarantine. All organisations should have PPE of their own to ensure compliance with public health and work health and safety requirements, and prepare for the eventuality of an outbreak.

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There is a PPE stock maintained by State Growth as an emergency backstop for settings outside direct healthcare settings. If an organisation was to apply for PPE from this stockpile, they would need a good reason as to why they were unable to secure their own supply.

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Tasmanian Government agencies can apply to State Growth on behalf of themselves or their key stakeholders. So the appropriate process to access the stockpile would be to approach your funding agency in the first instance.

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11. Can you provide an update on whether rapid antigen tests play any role enabling business continuity and COVID management?

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Previously supplied answer: Public Health is currently drafting advice, which will be circulated soon. It is likely to set out circumstances and scenarios in which rapid antigen tests may be useful as a screening tool in certain workplaces in the event of an outbreak.

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Public Health is still working on this advice. Rapid antigen tests deliver higher false positive and negative rates, so they are no substitute for routine PCR testing. However, they may have a role when infection rates rise to a defined threshold rate of COVID infection in the community (3-5%).

12. For residential services providing a home for young people under 18, should a client present as COVID positive: a) where would they be isolated, would the service be expected to provide that space?

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Public Health would identify suitable premises for isolation. It’s highly unlikely that the facility would be considered an appropriate premises.

b) what would the process be around identifying the level of contact and isolation requirements for staff?

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A Public Health liaison officer would be identified for that site and will work with the organisation to identify isolation and other requirements for close contacts.

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The Testing, Quarantine and Isolation Plan sets out the different requirements and definitions for different levels of contact.

2. Regional Recovery Committees Feedback

Barbara Hill – North, Ros Atkinson – North West, Lyndon Stevenson – South

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North: Barbara reported that the Northern regional recovery committee was developing recovery activities focused on: o Mental Health o

Digital Literacy

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South: Lyndon reported that the Southern Regional Recovery Committee had developed its wellbeing report which has been provided to key departments who are considering responses. It has also produced an interim recovery report, identifying recovery opportunities.

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North-West: Ros reported that the North-West Regional Recovery Committee had also submitted its wellbeing report and was awaiting responses. Social cohesion and isolation, very relevant for NW with many rural and regional communities. The nterim focus for the North-West is: o Transport o

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Mental Health supports

Ros reinforced that the aim was to build on and into the work of others, not to duplicate anything else happening across the state.

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Each member is available if anyone wants to pass on any information or have a conversation in regards to the work of the committees: o North - Barbara: bhill@redcross.org.au o

South - Lyndon: lyndon@ctst.org.au

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North-West - Ros: Ros@yfcc.com.au

3. Assistance with Human Resources and Work Health and Safety

Stacey Joseph, Employment Facilitator, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been engaged to provide assistance to businesses on COVID-related HR and WHS matters. o

WHS and HR issues are strongly inter-related in this context

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The TCCI can work with organisations to talk them through a risk assessment for their particular circumstances, including particular mixes of staff, volunteers, etc.

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The TCCI have plenty of experience with the not-for-profit sector, and organisations don’t need to be members to be provided advice.

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Stacey indicated that provided organisations consult with staff and have a thorough and robust risk assessment, they can mandate vaccinations quite comfortably and not be too concerned with Fair Work implications.

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The TCCI have also provided an employer’s guide to COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace

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Businesses should contact the TCCI individually, as best advice needs to be tailored, and there are limited precedents to date.

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To seek advice, contact the TCCI by: o Phone The Workplace Advice Business Hotline on 1300 559 112 o

Email hr@tcci.com.au

4. Planning for the year ahead

Michael Pervan, Secretary, Department of Communities Tasmania

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If there’s anything we know from last 18 months it’s that uncertainty will be underlying theme of 2022.

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For the next 12-18 months, disruption will become part of our daily lives. We don’t know exactly what will happen. There’s been a lot of effort put into the health system and community services infrastructure – including psycho-social support and food relief – to ensure we’re as ready as we can be.

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Vaccination is the best defence we’ve got against COVID, but we know it’s not perfect. We know people fully vaccinated will still get sick. This will have impacts on those around them. In healthcare or community services, this could mean mandatory furloughing, vaccination audits, and all sorts of other impacts on workforce and clients.

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The strong communication and collaboration exhibited in the sector in the last year and a half will get us through next year and half. We can live with uncertainty and respond to maintain critical services.

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As well as the re-entry of COVID, the coming year brings the new budget cycle and a federal election, both of which require a balance between COVID response and recovery, and longer-term thinking.

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Let’s have a conversation and work through issues as they come, even if they’re difficult. The better informed we are, the faster we’re able to respond and get solutions to issues which may be interrupting service delivery. Talk to your funding agreement managers, talk to TasCOSS, keep the lines of communication open.

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We are better positioned now than ever to be able to work together in collaborative ways toward good outcomes for the state.

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