New COVID testing rules have been announced for essential workers within the greater Sydney area including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas. From 12:01am on Wednesday 14 July 2021, you may need to get a COVID-19 test if you are leaving your home to go to work.
There are currently two levels of the COVID test rules – One for the Fairfield local government area and one for Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour. Please see below an outline of the new requirements.
Fairfield COVID-19 tests
If you live in or are staying in the Fairfield local government area but you work outside this area, you must have a COVID-19 test once every 72 hours (3 days) in order to be allowed to enter a workplace.
Proof of COVID-19 test
You must have proof of your COVID-19 test such as an SMS text message on your phone or an email addressed to you.
You must show the proof of your test when asked
- at your workplace by your manager (occupier) or
- to a police officer.
You do not need to get the results of your COVID-19 test before going to or staying at work.
You must get a test every 72 hours (3 days) when you are working outside the Fairfield local government area if you live in or are staying in the Fairfield local government area.
If you test positive, follow the rules for people who are confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Entry to a workplace
Follow the requirements if you are the occupier of a premises that is
- not a place of residence
- located outside the Fairfield local government area.
You must not allow a person to work at your premises unless that person has had a COVID-19 test in the past 72 hours.
You are allowed to ask a person who is at your premises to show you proof that they have had a COVID-19 test in the past 72 hours.
This applies to all people, including employees, contractors and other service providers who
- work at your premises and
- live in the Fairfield local government area.
People who do not need a mandatory COVID-19 test
You do not have to get a COVID-19 test before working outside the Fairfield local government area if
- you are working at residential premises (someone’s home)
- you live outside the Fairfield local government area.
Greater Sydney COVID-19 tests
If you live in or are staying in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, you must have a COVID-19 test in the 7 days before working if your workplace is 50km or more outside Greater Sydney.
Proof of COVID-19 test
You must have proof of your
- COVID-19 test such as an SMS text message on your phone or an email addressed to you
- home address or temporary accommodation in Greater Sydney.
You must show the proof of your test when asked
- at your workplace to the manager (occupier) or
- to a police officer.
You do not need to get your COVID-19 test results before going to or staying at work.
If you live in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas you must get a test every 7 days when you are working more than 50km outside that area.
If your test for COVID-19 is positive (you have COVID-19), follow the rules for people who are confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Entry to a workplace outside Greater Sydney
Follow the requirements if you are the occupier of premises that
- is not a place of residence
- is located 50km or more outside Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas
- has a person work at the premises who lives in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas.
You must not allow a person to start work or remain at your premises unless the person has had a COVID-19 test in the past 7 days.
You are allowed to ask a person who is at your premises to show you proof that they have had a COVID-19 test in the past 7 days.
This applies to all people including employees, contractors and other service providers who
- work at your premises and
- live in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas.
People who do not need a mandatory COVID-19 test
You do not have to get a COVID-19 test if
- you are working at residential premises (someone’s home)
- you do not live in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas
- you live and also work in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas (excluding the Fairfield local government area).
Read the full press release here
Find a COVID testing clinic here
