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Critically Essential Worker requirements
From 28 April 2022, quarantine requirements for close contacts eased.
All asymptomatic close contacts are permitted to attend work.
Workers previously able to leave quarantine to work under the critically essential worker exemption are able to work without the need to use private transport by following the steps for close contacts. Requirements of employers of critical industries are removed, including the need to provide a critical worker list to Queensland Health.
If you are an asymptomatic close contact who works in a vulnerable facility (hospital, aged care or disability accommodation) and who cannot work from home, you can attend work provided you:
- let your employer know that you are a close contact before you return to work
- wear a mask
- comply with any additional requirements set by your workplace. This may include additional personal protective equipment (PPE).
The following are considered a critical industry in the context of critically essential workers:
- Health
- Emergency services, including police, the Queensland State Emergency Service, maritime rescue, the Coast Guard and the Rural Fire Service
- Power and utilities
- Stores in remote locations or communities
- Essential retail (including supermarkets)
- Freight and Logistics, including freight transported by air, rail, road or sea
- Public Transport
- Education – secondary, primary and kindergarten school teachers
- Agriculture and Fisheries production
- Resources
- Major manufacturing, distribution and critical supply chains (food, pharmaceuticals and petrol).
A critically essential role:
- requires a person with particular skills; and
- must be performed in person at the workplace; and
- must continue to be performed to:
- prevent an immediate risk of death or serious injury to a person; or
- prevent serious harm (social, economic or physical) in the community.
