What To Do if You Have a Confirmed COVID Outbreak at Your Business

Management of contacts of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the workplace
Due to high vaccination rates, Victoria has changed the management of contacts of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the workplace.

If someone who tested positive worked while they were infectious, they are required to tell their workplace.

The workplace must identify and inform other staff who are contacts (including sub-contractors, but not patrons).

These contacts are required to:

• get a standard (PCR) test at a testing centre within 24 hours and stay isolated until they return a negative result
• and show the workplace evidence of that result before they return to work.
• It is recommended that where the contact returns a negative PCR test that they use a Rapid Antigen Test in the following days when entering sensitive settings
• Free Rapid Antigen tests can be obtained for close workplace contacts from PCR testing centres

Workplaces are not required to provide the list of contacts to the Department of Health, unless specifically asked (e.g. in the case of an emerging outbreak) or there are more than 5 cases over a 7 day period

Contact Assessment and Management Matrix : here

Businesses can now use a risk-based approach that classifies workplace contacts along a risk scale. It takes into account the duration of the contact, mask-wearing and vaccination status. Isolation and testing requirements for contacts reflect their level of exposure risk.

All Victorian businesses can use the new risk-based approach.

Phase D Settings: here
How to clean and Disinfect after a COVID 19 Case: refer link below in resources list
Employer Notification Form: refer link below in resources list
Checklist – confirmed case of COVID in workplace : here
VTIC Media Kit: here
Close Contacts Spreadsheet: refer link below in resources list
Workplace Risk Assessment: refer link below in resources list

Outbreak Management: Victorian Government Guidance Document and updated matrix
Isolation Payment Application : here
Testing Payment Application : here 
Deep Clean payment rebate information : here Deep Clean Rebate Application: here