e-bulletin No. 96 - March 2020

The e-bulletin contains the following information: Coronavirus measures at the Commission

Coronavirus measures at the Commission

About novel coronavirus COVID-19

Novel coronavirus COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus.  Human coronaviruses are spread from someone with confirmed coronavirus to others by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated hands, surfaces or objects.  Good hygiene is therefore important to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19, including:

  • making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub,
  • covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or a flexed elbow,
  • avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

Protocols for Legal Practitioners, their Clients and Other Persons

The Workers Compensation Commission has implemented protocols to minimise risks to our staff and members, customers and other stakeholders, and to continue delivering our services to the people of NSW.

The Commission requires legal practitioners to observe the following protocols, and advise their clients (and others such as experts instructed by them) to comply with the protocols (to the extent they are relevant):

  1. If you have flu like symptoms: Do notseek entry to Commission premises or attend Commission proceedings or medical assessments if you are experiencing symptoms like coronavirus symptoms, and follow the advice set out in the links below.  Coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe, acute respiratory distress.
  2. If you have been to a country considered at higher risk of COVID-19 (excluding airport transit) in the past 14 days: You should stay at home and not attend Commission premises, proceedings or medical assessments.
  3. If compliance with protocol 1 or 2 disrupts your ability to participate in a scheduled event at the Commission: Email or telephone the Commission and you will be given advice.
  4. If you cannot maintain carriage of a matter: The Commission expects practitioners to arrange for appropriately qualified persons to ensure the continued conduct of matters.  If this is not possible, please advise the Commission and identify the matter numbers that may be affected.  
    A matter is unable to proceed if the worker is unable to participate.

Coronavirus Information

The links set out below give general information about minimising coronavirus risks.  The third link gives information about travelling and returning from overseas.

Travel entry bans apply to those returning from some countries.

NSW Health website advises that if you have been in, departed from, or transited through mainland China (excluding Macau and Taiwan), Iran or South Korea in the last
14 days, you should:

  • self-isolate yourself from others for 14 days from the day you departed China, Iran or South Korea, and
  • monitor yourself for symptoms.

Other countries are identified as countries of interest, and travellers to those countries are asked to monitor any fever or respiratory symptoms.  Countries of interest currently include Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea.

If you develop fever or respiratory symptoms, NSW Health recommends you call your doctor, or your local Emergency Department or healthdirect on 1800 022 222 and tell the person when you call where you have travelled.

Important: If you have symptoms you should not go to work, school, university, childcare, the gym, or public areas, and you should not use public transport, taxis, or ride-sharing services.  If you need to seek medical care, wear a surgical mask when attending, if available.

  1. NSW Government:
    https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
  2. NSW Health:
    https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/testing-managing
  3. Smart Traveller:
    https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/coronavirus-covid-19

Keeping you updated

The Commission is updating its protocols as required, and will advise you in e-Bulletins, so please monitor this publication.

Judge Gerard Phillips
President

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