COVID-19 Safe Workplaces Framework

Last Updated:18 Mar 2021 2:05pm

Please check this page and these links regularly for updates

The Tasmanian Government’s COVID-19 Safe Workplaces Framework supports workplaces as they re-open or expand their business activities during the pandemic, while ensuring the health and safety of all Tasmanians.

The Framework encompasses Safe Workplaces Guidelines and minimum standards.

To comply with the minimum standards, you should complete a safety plan and/or checklist. The Safe Workplace Guidelines will help you complete your safety plan/checklist.

COVID-19 Safe Workplace Guidelines

The Government has worked with stakeholders to develop industry specific guidelines to provide examples of the sorts of measures to suit businesses in each sector. Find the practical guidance tailored to your industry.

COVID-19 Safe Workplace Guidelines

COVID-19 Safety Plan templates and checklist

A COVID Safety Plan is a great way for businesses to document measures and show how they are keeping their customers, their workers and the community safe.

WorkSafe Tasmania has also developed templates to help small and medium businesses to prepare their COVID Safety Plans.

Keep your completed plans/checklist at your workplace: you do not need to submit them to WorkSafe (see How to comply below).

Please save this to your computer before you start to complete it, then you can go back to it as you need to. You can also print and complete them by hand if you prefer.

For large businesses (employing 200 plus people):

You may need to create a bespoke plan for your operations. Use the checklist and safety plan templates above as guiding documents.

For event organisers:

COVID-19 Safety Plan Events Template (PDF, 350.3 KB)

All businesses may find useful the My Business's COVIDSafe Plan: National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission (external link) which also includes business planning.

Mandatory contact tracing requirements

Recording patron details to support contact tracing is now mandatory for a wide range of Tasmanian venues and events.

If you run an event or business where people are spending more than 15 minutes in close proximity to each other, you are likely to be legally obliged to collect patron details.

Collecting details

The Director of Public Health is mandating the use of the free Check in TAS app. Many businesses/organisations will be required to register for the Check in TAS app to collect contact information about everyone who spends time at their premises.

If you run one of these premises or events, you should have the Check in TAS app in operation by 1 May 2021.This means you should have registered your premises or event for Check in TAS and display the Check in TAS QR code and all patrons aged 16 years and older should check in by scanning this code if they spend 15 minutes or longer at your premises.

See the coronavirus.tas.gov.au (external link) for:

the full list of businesses that must collect contact details
full details about contact tracing.

Check In TAS app

coronavirus.tas.gov.au/check-in-tas (external link)

For business premises, venues, community organisations and events: Registration for Check in TAS is a simple online process, with a free package of posters and QR codes mailed out to each applicant. Everyone who enters the premises should scan the QR code on entry, which leaves business owners and staff free to provide their usual customer service. All the business needs to do is ask the question: ‘Have you checked in?’
For customers: The free, easy to use Check in TAS app is ready for download from the Google Play or Apple App Store. Local residents and visitors will then only need one contact tracing app on their devices that they can use right around Tasmania. The information recorded through Check in TAS is automatically stored in the right format within the Department of Health for rapid response contact tracing, if required, and automatically deleted after 28 days. Your details will only be accessed by Public Health if contact tracing is needed due to a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the community.

Other ways to manage contact tracing

Venues will be able to check in patrons on their behalf through the app’s ‘business’ profile (or use a paper-based system if no device/service is available).

Contact tracing template register (PDF, 79.3 KB)

Contact tracing template for individuals (PDF, 78.0 KB)