9 October 2021

Dear colleagues

Thank you to everyone who is working across our facilities and vaccination clinics this weekend. We have been getting a few requests for clarification around the use of masks following the easing of restrictions overnight.

To clarify some mask requirements will remain across south east Queensland as we are still an impacted area.

People in the 11 south east Queensland LGAs will still be required to carry a mask at all times. Wear a mask:

• If you have any symptoms of COVID-19;
• are on public transport or ride shares (including designated waiting areas such as bus stops);
• are outdoors and indoors if you are unable to stay 1.5m apart from people who are not part of your household.

Generally though, masks do not have to be worn if:

• you are seated (e.g. at your workspace, in a lecture or meeting room, on a park bench, sitting on a lawn/grassed area)
• you are alone or with the members of your household (e.g. in your own office)
• you are eating or drinking
• you are entering or exiting a Sports Stadium
• you are participating in strenuous exercise
• it is unsafe to wear a mask.

There are some other exceptions to wearing face masks, including for children under 12 (unless they are in high school) and people with particular medical conditions or disabilities.

To be clear, if you are moving around at work, you should be wearing a mask. If in doubt, wear a face mask.

Clinical Care

Notwithstanding the ease of restrictions, Metro North will continue to remain on Tier 1 in our COVID response plan together with low risk PPE.  Remember, at all times, the minimum PPE requirement will always include the general mask mandate.

PPE guidelines are online for healthcare delivery and for residential aged care and disability accommodation.

For all clinical care please refer to the low risk PPE matrix.

Staff who are unvaccinated and have applied for an exemption are required to follow the medium risk PPE guidance. This increased level of protection keeps you, your colleagues and patients/visitors safe.

The minimum requirement at work when moving around is flat surgical mask and eye protection.  When seated, you may remove your eye protection (wipe it over when you remove it) but keep your mask on unless eating or drinking or alone in your own office.

While our community case numbers have declined for now, please continue to monitor the contact tracing website and get tested if you have any symptoms.

Regards,

Liz Rushbrook
Metro North Duty Executive
On behalf of Metro North COVID-19 Health Incident Controller

Helpful links

• Upload evidence of your vaccine
• Qld Health contact tracing list
• Register for your vaccine
• Qld Health general COVID-19 page
• Metro North COVID-19 extranet
• COVID vidcast recordings on QHEPS

Metro North HHS – overview of cases*

*As at 09/10/2021 at 1000
**Metro North Health has four recorded deaths (one person a return traveller into NSW, who passed away in NSW)
*** These numbers reflect the cases being managed by Metro North Health.