The HSU has been advised of a new public health order issued by the NSW Government.

Under the new public health order, authorised workers living in Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern and travelling outside of the LGA for work now have an extended deadline of 19 September to have their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. However, workers will need to have booked their vaccination appointment by the end of this Wednesday 8 September in order to continue working. This public health order replaces previous advice. You can view the media release at this link.

If you have not yet received your first dose of vaccine and haven’t booked an appointment by the end of Wednesday, you will not be allowed to leave the LGA for work.

The advice applies to members living in the following LGAs who work outside of the LGA they reside in:

Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and the following suburbs of Penrith: Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys.

The HSU remains in constant communication with the Ministry of Health and we will update members as any developments come to light. While we support vaccination to protect the community and relieve pressure on health workers, we believe in support and education rather than a punitive approach.

If you are yet to receive your first dose of vaccine and want to book an appointment, please refer to the below links for priority bookings:

• Authorised workers who live in LGAs of concern
• Anyone aged 16-39 who lives in LGAs of concern
• Disability workers who live or work in LGAs of concern