The outcome of the Public Health investigation may reveal that nurses, midwives, and/or healthcare workers have had contact with these two confirmed cases. If this is the case, it may mean that you are required to go into isolation for 14 days. The ANMF wish to remind nurses, midwives, and AIN’s of your entitlements if you are required to go into isolation.

Entitlements:

• If you test positive to COVID-19 and you have come into contact with a positive case of COVID-19 in your workplace, you can apply for workers compensation to cover your period of leave.
• If you are asked to go into isolation due to close contact with COVID-19 in your workplace and you are well, you may be asked to work from home, if this is relevant to your role.
• If you are unable to work from home, you will be paid for your 14 days isolation. Your pay will reflect your rostered hours or booked shifts (as a casual). If you are casual and your shifts have not been booked in advance, you will be paid an average of your usual earnings for the 14 days.
• If you become unwell during your 14 days isolation, the ANMF recommend that you make a worker’s compensation claim.

In addition, the ANMF have managed to secure paid accommodation for any nurse, midwife, or care worker who lives with a vulnerable person and wishes to isolate in alternate accommodation during this pandemic. If you wish to seek alternate accommodation, the State Service Management Office has advised that you speak with your Nurse Unit Manager. A reminder, there are defined groups of people recognised as vulnerable with respect to COVID-19.

These defined groups are:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical condition.
• People 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions. The definition of ‘chronic medical conditions’ will be refined as more evidence emerges. The most current list can be accessed on the Department of Health website.
• People 70 years and older.
• People with compromised immune systems.