Guidelines for people with COVID-19, close contacts, testing, and isolation requirements in community and healthcare settings, have all changed in line with a risk-based assessment.
Epidemiology and local and international evidence supports the safe return with minimal risk to healthcare workers, patients and the community following shorter seven-day isolation of COVID-19 cases.
The updates also outline new definitions for contacts, and that healthcare workers can return to work under careful and specific circumstances.
Please read the guidelines below carefully as there are some significant changes and continue to refer to CE alerts, iNews and the Furloughed Employees page of the Employee COVID-19 Hub for the latest advice.
If you test positive or believe you are a close contact, please call the Monash Health Employee COVID-19 Hotline on 8572 5610, 7am to 8pm, seven days a week.
Please continue carefully following PPE guidelines and if you are symptomatic, do not come into work, immediately get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.
Furlough Guidance Healthcare Workers
Symptomatic
- Isolate and get PCR test
- Return to work if negative PCR result is obtained and asymptomatic
Social contacts/Workplace contacts (less than four hours contact)
- Return to work if asymptomatic, and:
- Work exclusively in an N95 mask
- No use of shared break areas and remain separate from other colleagues/employees during breaks
- Participate in employee surveillance testing (PCR or RATs) for seven days
Returned travellers from overseas
- Test and isolate until negative PCR result
- Return to work if asymptomatic, and:
- Work exclusively in an N95 mask
- No use of shared break areas and remain separate from other colleagues/employees during breaks
- Participate in employee surveillance testing (PCR or RATs) for seven days after a negative PCR test is returned
Furlough Guidance Commencing (Healthcare Workers)
Close contacts (greater than four hours)
- Isolate for seven days in the community as per Department of Health Guidelines
- Return to work if:
- Asymptomatic and a negative RAT test
- Work exclusively in an N95 mask
- No use of shared break areas and remain separate from other colleagues/employees during breaks
- Participate in employee surveillance (PCR or RATs) testing for seven days
Household case (lives in the same household as HCW)
- Isolate for seven days in the community as per Department of Health Guidelines
- Return to work if:
- Asymptomatic and return negative PCR test on day 6
- Work exclusively in an N95 mask
- No use of shared break areas and remain separate from other colleagues/employees during breaks
- Participate in employee surveillance (PCR or RATs) testing for seven days
COVID-19 Case Release Guidance
Confirmed infection
- Isolate for seven days in the community as per Department of Health Guidelines
- Released automatically after day 7 from positive result
Confirmed Healthcare Worker Case
- Isolate for seven days in the community as per Department of Health Guidelines
- Released automatically after Day 7 from positive result
- Return to work after day 7 if:
- Feeling well enough to work
- Afebrile (no fever) for 48 hours
- Improved symptoms and cleared via phone conversation with Monash Health Employee COVID-19 Hotline
- Able to wear an N95 mask comfortable
Support and contact details
- Employee Surveillance Testing information
- Employee COVID-19 Hotline – 8572 5610
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – 1300 687 327
- Call a Psychologist – 0418 905 414
- IT Services – 9594 7255
- Monash Health Bureau – 9265 1789
- Injury Support Team – 9554 1852
Approved by Professor Rhonda Stuart