When the NSW government early last week shutdown check in at retail and did not follow the health advice on masks and other measures in retail, newsXpress shared the following with its members – in response to some requests for guidance:
Opinion / advice: Omicron, NSW and newsXpress businesses.
In NSW, QR codes are no longer mandatory in newsagencies, or in any retail. Deep cleans are no longer mandated in businesses where contact has occurred.
From the UK and Europe we can see that Omicron is transmitting quickly, and loading hospitals as a result. In the last few days we have seen this in NSW, too.
Our advice to newsXpress members in NSW is:
- Continue with QR code check in.
- Continue with staff wearing face masks. The NSW Chief Health Officer was clear with her advice on masks earlier this week, contradicting the advice from the health Minister. Dr Chant made it clear – wear masks, they work.
- Keep acrylic panels at the counter up.
- Continue to clean regularly.
- Continue to encourage staff to wash their hands.
- Continue to make masks and hand sanitiser freely available in the shop.
- Encourage all staff to get boosted as soon as they can. The government has cut the timing from 6 to 5 months. You can ask for it sooner and doctors will do this (I did that myself weeks ago).
- Message on social media about keeping the community safe, especially the vulnerable who cannot make decisions for themselves or who are health compromised.
I appreciate there is a strong desire to get back to life the way it was. That will not happen for years. Omicron was always coming as is the next significant variant and the one after that.
The more infections the stronger the breeding ground for virus variants.
From a business perspective you want to ensure that you can remain open.
What you do in your business is 100% up to you. We have shared this today in response to a couple of NSW members who asked us.
newsXpress also shared some collateral for positive reinforcement messaging on masks, including …
A very responsible post and most welcome.
We in NSW are witnessing an extreme COVID spread. Surprisingly enough many people are wearing masks and few are Q coding in.
as I have stated it is up to the individual to take care of themselves and their loved ones by showing the way through leaderships.
Governments World over and States plus communities have enormous differences and play the cards their way..
Tkae care look after yourselves and have a Mery Christmas.
At present the evidence from the UK is that whilst hospital case numbers are increasing it is mainly amongst the unvaccinated. I’m not sure our governments can do any more to protect these people. Quite often they also tend to to have been the same people who have argued against mask wearing even when they were compulsory.
I have 2 teenage children and yes both are fully vaccinated. Lockdowns and a lack of socialising are not the way I want them to lead their lives. Yes we all need to take precautions but we need to find the balance to get on with our lives as best we can. Those who have chosen to fight this virus without the protection of a vaccine are free to do so but they should not ruin the lives and businesses of others. In the case of the latter point I am seeing evidence of a number of businesses who will struggle to survive once the NSW Covid rental protections cease next month. Many others will struggle to meet their deferred rental commitments which will also kick in shortly. Yes I feel for the burden to be faced by the health workers but we need to find the right balance and do all we can to protect our families, our businesses, our staff, our customers and ourselves.
And, finally, the NSW Premier announced a mask mandate. Nothing has changed, the health advice is the same. What a waste of 10 days. Australians will suffer as a result.
I had my 3rd jab today -still wear a mask and sign in Qcode. I take no offence to those that have had their 2nd jab and don’t wear a mask. Signing in is another matter for how do we know where the COVID has been detected if this doesn’t happen.
5,700 cases in one day and 1 death says a lot.
I have stated all along that it’s up to the individual to look after themselves. Mandatory masks have not proved a higher death rate or a high emergency Hospital occupancy acyually the reverse.
Victoria has the highest in everthing except good management. The record there is the most appalling World Wide let alone in Australia.
So what does all this pott shotting prove…..absolutely nothing.
The disease has to wear itself out and vaccination is the best prevention -not in not getting it but in managing it as proved with the latest figures in NSW.
I don’t see the negative here