Smoothing the stop-start-stop of the COVID-19 workplace
By Anna Daly
4th January 2022
Smoothing the stop-start-stop of the COVID-19 workplace
Ah, summer. The sun is beating down and the flies are abuzz but your workspace is returning to some semblance of basic functionality … until you learn one of your colleagues has tested positive for COVID-19. This is not good news, whichever way you look at it, but there are ways you can make the testing process, and your (hopefully) temporary exit and isolation, less disruptive.
1. Find out if you need to get a test
Currently in Melbourne (January 2022), the workplace contacts of those who test positive for COVID-19 are only required to get a standard PCR test if they are symptomatic or test positive to a rapid antigen test. Requirements vary across Australia, however, and as the pandemic situation evolves, the rules change. Check the following pages for up-to-date information in your State or Territory.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/stay-safe-and-healthy/quarantine-for-close-contacts
Northern Territory (NT)
https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/case-location-alerts-and-close-contacts
New South Wales (NSW)
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/testing/self-isolation-rules
Queensland (QLD)
South Australia (SA)
Tasmania (Tas)
https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/keeping-yourself-safe/contact-tracing/types-of-contacts
Victoria (Vic)
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-contacts
Western Australia (WA)
https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/COVID19-testing
2. Find a testing facility that suits your needs.
Most of us want to get the testing over and done with ASAP which means rushing out to the closest, open facility. Spending 10 minutes online first, though, may be a better use of your time.
The following links provide lists of test facilities, locations, accessibility, opening and closing times and availability in each State and Territory:
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Northern Territory (NT)
https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/symptoms-testing#arrange-testing
New South Wales (NSW)
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/testing/clinics
Queensland (QLD)
South Australia (SA)
Tasmania (Tas)
https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/keeping-yourself-safe/testing-for-covid-19/where-to-get-tested
Victoria (Vic)
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19
Western Australia (WA) https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/articles/a_e/coronavirus/covid-clinics
Broadly speaking, this information is sound but there is some variability. Many providers close earlier than the times indicated by their own websites, for example. Calling individual providers will save you a wasted trip and a heated discussion.
If you can’t get through to an individual provider, consider selecting an alternative facility. Facilities that respond promptly to calls and emails can make all the difference to the number of days you spend in isolation, as well as stress levels.
The teams on some of these hotlines are also very responsive and may be able to provide the information you need.
| ACT Helpline | 02 6207 7244 |
| NT COVID-19 Hotline | 1800 490 484 |
| Service NSW | 13 77 88 |
| QLD COVID-19 related enquiries | 134 COVID (13 42 68) |
| SA COVID-19 Information Line | 1800 253 787 |
| Tasmania Public Health Hotline | 1800 671 738 |
| Victoria 24/7 Coronavirus Hotline | 1800 675 398 |
| WA Coronavirus Helpline | 13 26843 (13 COVID) |
| National 24/7 Coronavirus Helpline | 1800 020 080 |
3. Smooth the transition between office and home… and back again
The demand for testing and the speed at which tests can be processed is as unpredictable as the test result itself. You might receive a negative test result within 12 hours but a more likely scenario is that you will be spending at least one or two days working from home.
It is tempting to imagine that a portable hard drive with your current and pending work will suffice for the duration. If at all possible, however, consider taking as much of your workspace set-up with you as you can – in my case, this means a laptop, a screen, a mouse, a keyboard and a diary as well as a powerpack, cables, notebooks, pens and a set of noise-cancelling headphones. The half hour of dismantling, transportation and re-assembly at either end is a worthwhile investment. There are few things more frustrating than trying to navigate even the slightest of differences in user interfaces, email access and shared drives while trying to maintain a steady workflow.
4. Manage expectations and follow-up on your results
You can’t control the speed at which your COVID-19 test is processed but by managing your expectations, you can minimise the degree to which you are distracted by the wait.
Be prepared to not hear anything back for at least 24 hours. This is a reasonable test-processing window under ‘COVID normal’ – as opposed to ‘surge’ – conditions.
If you haven’t received a response after 48 – 72 hours, most websites recommend calling the testing facilities. Many testing facilities will happily take your call after 36 hours though – especially if you are calling on a Friday afternoon.The contact numbers for some facilities are listed on these pages:
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Northern Territory (NT)
https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/symptoms-testing
New South Wales (NSW)
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/testing-locations.aspx
Queensland (QLD)
South Australia (SA)
Tasmania (Tas)
https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/keeping-yourself-safe/testing-for-covid-19/where-to-get-tested
Victoria (Vic)
Western Australia (WA)
https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/COVID-clinics
There is nothing normal about ‘COVID normal’: frequent testing and periods of isolation will be a fact of life for the foreseeable future. Be prepared, as the Boy Scouts say, and make your transition between the main roads and detours of working throughout a pandemic less bumpy.
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