It is important that approved providers prepare for managing a confirmed case as part of their service’s COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy.
Below is an outline of the process should a child, family member, educator or staff member test positive for COVID-19 and steps you can take now to prepare.
Update emergency contact details
Service providers are to review their emergency contact details, as part of their business continuity planning. Make sure your service’s emergency contact details are up-to-date by:
Confirmed cases, close contacts and contact tracing
The
definition of close contact and requirements for quarantine and testing for confirmed COVID-19 cases has been updated.
Close contacts are defined as a
household member or a
household-like contact of a diagnosed person.
Please note: Early childhood education and care services (including family day care) are not considered household like or a residential care facility. Operations can continue within COVID safe guidelines
unless directed by Queensland Health or if a service needs to close due to unavailability of staff as per usual business continuity plans.
It is important to keep up to date with the latest requirements about
isolation for confirmed cases and quarantine for close contacts.
The Queensland Health website also provides information about arrangements for 'critical industries' and 'critically essential workers'. Please refer to the requirements for
critically essential workers for current information regarding the relevant definitions and protocols.
As the COVID-19 situation in Queensland rapidly develops, advice provided in this message may change or be updated accordingly. Please continue to check the
Queensland Government website for the latest updates to help manage COVID-19 cases.
Communication
It is important for services to keep educators and staff, families and any other visitors up-to-date, including if your service needs to close due to COVID-19.
Approved provider to notify regulatory authority of closure
If your regulated service closes due to COVID-19 or has to reduce service numbers, the approved provider must immediately:
- notify the Department of Education in Queensland via the NQA ITS (services regulated under the National Quality Framework)
- notify the Department of Education in Queensland via the ECEC Emergency Closures mailbox: ececemergencyclosures@qed.qld.gov.au (services regulated under the
Education and Care Services Act)
- notify the Australian Government Department of Education Skills and Employment (ChildCare Subsidy payments) via email at CCSAssessments-QLD@dese.gov.au notify Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on 1300 362 128.
Please note: Queensland services do not need to notify positive cases, only service closures and other notifiable matters.
You should continue to liaise with and seek advice from Queensland Health.
Reopening
You must notify the relevant stakeholders, such as educators and staff. This includes updating your service's open/closed status on the relevant portal.
More information
Read more about
managing COVID-19 in the workplace on the Queensland Health website.