Clarification provided by Queensland Department of Environment and Science
A critical worker being recalled to work must have received a booster. While the definition of fully vaccinated does not include a booster, the specific section requires a worker to be fully vaccinated and have received a booster dose, if eligible. DES have pasted the section from the direction below to confirm:
Availability of RATs
- The rapid antigen test supplies Qld secured earlier this month are not being provided broadly to industry.
- They are being used to ensure continued operation of critical govt services. This includes supply to hospitals for people who are symptomatic and require testing, staff for testing as required, and to paramedics, police and other key frontline workers.
- Like business and industry, Qld Govt is seeing pressure on RATs coming into the country.
- Under current public health directions, most workers are not required to undertake a RAT test before attending work.
- The Commonwealth has advised it expects RATs to become more available in coming weeks.
- A list of bulk RAT suppliers servicing Qld business and industry is available and is attached (this is the same list provided earlier in the week).
Genuine / Approved RATs
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved RATs for the market in Australia and has published a list of those approved.
Close contacts already at work
A critical essential employee already at work who receives notice of being a close contact, may stay at work without first needing to quarantine providing they consent, are not symptomatic and undertake a rapid antigen test immediately which returns a negative result. All the other provisions of the direction will still apply (e.g they must be fully vaccinated with a booster, wear a mask, monitor symptoms, etc).
A link to the direction can be found here:Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 4) | Queensland Health
Queensland Government bulk suppliers list − Rapid antigen test
