This article contains information and links to Government sources on the topic of COVID-19, including:
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention.
What are the symptoms associated with COVID-19?
While symptoms will vary, especially between variants, some symptoms known to be associated with COVID-19 include:
Fever
Coughing
Sore throat
Shortness of breath
Runny nose
Fatigue
Body aches
Headaches
Loss of sense of smell
Altered sense of taste
Those with even the mildest of symptoms should get tested for COVID-19 and isolate until they receive a negative test result, or until advised by health authorities.
How you can be exposed to COVID-19
The COVID-19 virus is most commonly spread through close contact with an infectious person. 'Close contact' has been Nationally defined as someone who:
lives in the same house as someone who tests positive
has spent 4 hours or longer with someone in a home, or health or aged care environment
is determined as one by your state or territory health department.
If you have had less contact with someone with COVID-19, such as in the workplace, you are NOT considered a close contact under the new Federal Government definition. This means that you do not need to isolate UNLESS you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
When are you required to get tested?
Testing requirements can change over time, so please ensure you refer to the Government sources linked at the end of this article for the most up-to-date information, and follow all directions given to you by health officials. However, the current advice is that you should get a COVID-19 test if you:
have COVID-19 symptoms
are a close contact with someone who has tested positive
have been advised to do so by a health professional.
When are you required to isolate
Isolation requirements can change over time, so please ensure you refer to the Government sources linked at the end of this article for the most up-to-date information, and follow all directions given to you by health officials.
If you are ever unsure of your isolation requirements, please refer to the Government sources linked at the end of this article or contact the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
What your responsibilities are as a Sidekick
Sidekicker is following advice from the Department of Health in relation to testing and isolation requirements of our workforce. Please note this advice is changing periodically and so we ask that you remain alert and regularly check for updates. Sidekicker will additionally provide information as updates become available and may change our expectations regarding isolation and return to work processes as a result.
Under our current policy, your responsibilities as a Sidekick are as follows:
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms:
Get tested for COVID-19 and isolate until you receive a negative test result, or until advised by health authorities
Do not attend on-site work until you receive a negative test result and your symptoms have fully subsided
If you need to withdraw from any shifts during this time, please do so via the Sidekicker app at your earliest opportunity.
If you are required to isolate:
Inform Sidekicker as soon as possible and let us know your end-of-isolation date
Inform Sidekicker as soon as possible if you test positive for COVID-19
Do not attend on-site work until your isolation requirement has ended (or until advised by health authorities), and if you developed symptoms, until those symptoms have fully subsided
If you need to withdraw from any shifts during this time, please do so via the Sidekicker app at your earliest opportunity.
If you test positive for COVID-19:
Inform Sidekicker right away
Isolate and follow all advice provided to you by health authorities and in line with State guidelines for positive cases (see Helpful links)
Do not attend on-site work until you have met all testing and isolation requirements and are no longer experiencing symptoms
NOTE: Sidekicker does not require you to send us proof of a negative COVID-19 test result in order to return to work. However, some clients may request this when you return on-site for your next shift if you have previously experienced COVID-19 symptoms or been identified as a close contact.
How Sidekicker is protecting its workforce
The health and safety of our workforce is our priority. We are committed to doing all that we can to minimise the spread of COVID-19 (and other illnesses such as the flu).
We will continue to communicate with you regularly regarding our policy on COVID-19 (in line with advice from government bodies) and will provide periodic reminders about the importance of good hygiene.
If you do need to take time off (to isolate or rest due to other illnesses), Sidekicker will support you during your re-entry to the workforce by giving you access to opportunities through the platform.
We will also continue to communicate with our clients (your host employers) to ensure that they are taking appropriate steps to protect the health and safety of their workforce, clients, and those in their care (etc). If you have any concerns about the health and safety conditions of a particular workplace, please be sure to notify us as soon as possible.
How to protect yourself from infection
One of the best ways to protect yourself and others from contracting COVID-19 is by practicing good hygiene. Here are some recommended steps that you can take to try and limit the spread of COVID-19:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. This includes before and after eating and after going to the toilet
Use alcohol-based hand sanitisers when unable to wash with soap and water
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue, and dispose of used tissues immediately after use
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects you use often such as desks, bench tops, phones, keyboards (etc)
Helpful links (by state)
Official Government websites:
When/where to get tested:
When and how to isolate:
Information for positive cases:
Contact information for COVID-19 support:
National Coronavirus Helpline: 1800 020 080
Government support payments: