Remote and residential workers will no longer need to show proof of immunisation as a condition of entry to mine sites.
The Western Australian Government confirmed it is lifting coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandates at mining operations across the Golden State.
From 10 June 2022 many fly-in fly-out (FIFO) and local employees, contractors and visitors will not need to present a valid COVID-19 certificate during travel booking, airport screening and site-access processes. AMSJ can reveal few employers are likely to continue the mandates, especially after Rio Tinto informed all staff it would stop enforcing pandemic restrictions.
“If they wish to still do it under workplace health and safety laws they can do an analysis and still do it, and many private sector workforces will do it,” State Premier Mark McGowan said according to the Australian Associated Press.
McGowan revealed restrictions were eased after daily infections dropped 60.8 per cent to 4849 between May 15 and June 6.
“That soft landing means we now have new health advice that recommends more public health measures can be safely phased out,” he said according to the newswire agency.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) applauded the premier for returning workplaces to normality.
“It seems [like] a reasonable thing to do. Lifting mandates at this stage really is not going to make a big difference to the total numbers of COVID,” AMA WA president Mark Duncan-Smith said according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The Master Builders Association predicts unrestricted movement will help fill up to 5000 jobs in the industry.
Master Builders Association executive director John Gelavis had previously called for the mandate to be lifted to allow more construction workers to return to an overheated sector.
“[McGowan’s] announcement is going to allow the industry to breathe a sigh of relief for many of those workers and families that had decided not to be vaccinated and leave the sector,” executive director John Gelavis said according to the broadcaster.
“That has caused, obviously, delays in building timeframes and those building timeframes cause issues around cashflow.”
disability care facilities.
“These will remain and they will continue to be monitored by the Chief Health Officer,” Mr McGowan said.
The rules for those who test positive to COVID, and their close contacts, remain unchanged.
WA today recorded 8,452 new COVID cases and one death.
There are now 298 people in hospital with the virus – the first time that figure has been below 300 since mid-May.
Eight people with COVID are being treated in intensive care.
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