The Transport Workers Union has gone on record saying the government is reckless after scrapping isolation requirements for essential workers who are asymptomatic close contacts.
On Sunday the NSW premier Dominic Perrottet announced essential workers across the food, manufacturing and logistics sector who were deemed close contacts would now be exempt from isolating if they showed no signs of the virus. The move follows a similar announcement that allowed health workers to return to their jobs if showing no symptoms.
Unions claim workers are now at risk
The decision has been heavily criticised by the state’s unions who claim it could lead to a rise in infections. Union boss, Michael Kaine has described the move as reckless, saying “workers are being thrown to the wolves”.
“We know, even if you’re asymptomatic, you can still spread the virus. Requiring potentially sick people to go to work won’t make supply chains healthy,” Kaine told the ABC.
The news comes as NSW records a further 20,293 new cases of COVID-19 and 18 deaths overnight.
Perrottet has defended his decision to allow asymptomatic people to attend work, saying the state needs to remain open.
“We have to ensure distribution networks are secure. We’ve seen globally this is a substantial challenge. I believe the changes we made today get that balance right,” Perrottet said. “The best thing we can do is remain open. We need society to remain open.”
Across NSW (and the nation) supermarkets are struggling to stay stocked with essential items as staff shortages and supply chain issues bite.
Staff shortages impact
Meanwhile, state transport has slashed services in an effort to combat staff shortages and falling demand. From today NSW trains, buses, light rail and ferries will operate to a reduced schedule with weekend timetables in effect.
The decision follows a 70 per cent reduction in the use of public transport across the state and some 1,000 plus transport workers off the job.
Transport for NSW chief operating officer Howard Collins said moving to a weekend timetable would allow continuity of services.
“It’s dealing with the fact that [with] the impact of COVID-19, like any other business, we’re starting to see hundreds of staff off or isolated and also there are less people travelling,” he said.
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