Communities and Justice

Managing COVID-19 cases in the workplace

When to report your COVID-19 positive result to DCJ

COVID-19 is a notifiable disease which means all staff must notify DCJ if they become COVID-19 positive and have been in a DCJ workplace within a 48-hour period of becoming COVID-19 positive.

This information helps DCJ maintain business continuity and provide a COVID-Safe environment in the workplace, not just for staff but also for our service users and visitors.

From Monday 19 September 2022, you will need to submit a report via SafetySuite if you attended a DCJ workplace within 48 hours of testing positive for COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Reporting Hotline will no longer register COVID-19 positive cases from 19 September. All reports must be submitted online.

How to report your COVID-19 positive result to DCJ

Guidance for former FACS:

Guidance for former Justice:

If you need further assistance, contact your local WHS Officer. The COVID-19 Hotline team are available on (02) 8753 8925 until Friday, 30 September to troubleshoot any reporting issues you may have when using SafetySuite. The Hotline’s hours of operation are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Calls outside these hours will be diverted to voicemail and a team member will call back the next business day.

Please note: Due to the high-risk nature of custodial environments, Corrective Services NSW and Youth Justice staff who work in these settings should refer to the existing COVID-19 protocols, and report all CSNSW incidents to the CSNSW COVID Command Post, and Youth Justice incidents to the Youth Justice Command Post.

Cleaning for Courts and Non-custodial Offices

All DCJ workplaces continue to be regularly cleaned in line with standard cleaning arrangements.

The CSNSW Command Post will continue to manage requests for enhanced cleaning for Corrective Services. Enhanced cleaning for Youth Justice will continue to managed by the Youth Justice Command Post.

Enhanced office cleaning in non-custodial and non-court settings is no longer required following a positive COVID-19 report, however, Infrastructure and Assets will continue to manage requests for enhanced cleaning for Courts, as well as client-facing offices.

Primary contact: Azma Khan Phone: 0436 666 419.

FAQ

What happens when I report I am COVID-19 positive?

In line with NSW Public Health Orders, staff are required to notify their employer of their COVID-19 positive result.

At DCJ, staff need to report if they have been in a DCJ workplace within 48 hours of becoming COVID-19 positive. If you test positive to COVID-19, you must submit a report via SafetySuite. The system will automatically notify your manager and the local WHS Officer who can assist with any questions.

How will a DCJ staff member know they have tested positive for COVID-19?

A RAT kit will immediately indicate a positive or negative result for COVID-19. A PCR test result will be advised via sms.

Should a staff member advise their manager they have tested positive for COVID-19?

Yes, they should let their manager know as COVID-19 is a notifiable disease. NSW Health may also contact DCJ to advise of the confirmed case and actions required. Staff are not required to report negative COVID-19 results to DCJ.

Will DCJ be advised when there has been a COVID positive service user/visitor at a DCJ workplace?
What is a fully vaccinated person?

This term has been replaced by ATAGI to ‘up to date’. We now know that to help protect yourself against severe illness from COVID-19, you need to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations. This means, if you are 16 years and older, you will need a booster shot 3 months after your last dose in order to keep your vaccination from COVID-19 up to date.

What is a not fully vaccinated/overdue person?

The updated ATAGI definition states that a person will be considered 'overdue' if a booster has not been received within 6 months of receiving their last dose.

What is an unwell person?

An ‘unwell person’ is anyone who is feeling sick or otherwise unwell. Where an individual is feeling unwell or exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, they must not attend the workplace. If someone presents at work, they are to be sent home on sick leave or work from home where possible. More information is available in DCJ's COVID-19 leave arrangements factsheet.

Individuals with even the mildest COVID-19 symptoms should get a COVID-19 RAT kit or PCR test.

What is a high risk contact?

A ‘high risk contact’ is person who has been in close physical proximity to a person infectious with COVID-19 and might have become infected with the COVID-19 virus.

This could be through:

  • direct physical contact with someone with COVID-19
  • close-range contact within 1.5m for 15 minutes or more and without wearing a mask with someone with COVID-19.

There are several ways an individual may be notified that they are a high risk contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case:

  1. They are informed by their employer that they have been near a confirmed case at work.
  2. They have been informed directly by someone they know who has contracted COVID-19.

A high-risk contact is required to get tested as soon as possible, regardless of symptoms and follow self-isolating requirements.

Last updated:

20 Sep 2022