Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Information for WIOA Members
WIOA has a Duty of Care to protect the health, safety and welfare of all our staff, members and stakeholders. The WIOA Board has made the difficult decision that attendance at the WIOA NSW Conference will be restricted to fully vaccinated persons only.
The Board understands that this decision may disadvantage some, but delivering a safe and successful event is considered a higher priority for the long term sustainability of the Association.
As an organisation, WIOA is drawing directly on current Health advice and information provided by both Federal and State government authorities. WIOA is committed to implementing all recommended precautions from the Federal and State Health authorities and will encourage all event attendees to follow all the guidelines still in place.
If there are any concerns for the safety of staff or event attendees, WIOA will look to rescheduling and staging our events when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
COVID Safe Information
All attendees must be fully vaccinated or have a valid medical exemption.
This event is being staged with the following COVID Safe Event Plan.
The COVID Safe Event Plan is designed to make the conference as safe as possible for all attendees. There will be numerous changes to the operation of the event and we request the support of all attendees in implementing these:
- If you are not well, or you have any COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, or loss of smell, please do not attend the event
- If you have COVID-19, have been in close contact with a person who is positive for COVID-19, or you are awaiting results from a COVID-19 test, you should not attend the event.
- A refund will be made available for people unable to attend due to illness, or travel restrictions due to COVID-19 outbreaks or lockdowns
- A QR code is included on all attendee name tags for contact tracing purposes. ALL attendees MUST scan into the event each day
- Bollards will be used to manage queues in areas where they are likely to form (registration desk and meals area).
- Maintaining physical distancing is the responsibility of every individual.
- Hand sanitiser stations will be available at the entry to the building, the exhibition hall, and the papers room. Please sanitise or wash your hands regularly.
- The chairs in the papers room will be spaced to ensure adequate distancing between attendees
- Additional cleaning is being implemented in high touch, high traffic areas including the bathrooms, toilets and chairs and tables
- There will be no free-standing lunches, dinners, or refreshment service. These will be served and consumed whilst seated at tables.
Coronavirus Resources
WIOA has curated a selection of key resources to assist you to navigate the evolving situation.
- Water Environment Federation – The Water Professional’s Guide to COVID-19
- COVID-19 Blog – Current science on the fate and potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in water
- NSW Water Directorate – Information and advice on managing impacts of COVID-19 for local water utilities in regional NSW
- Queensland Water Directorate – qldwater information relating to COVID-19
- Water Research Australia – COVID-19 Community of Interest, Additional Resources and national Research Project
- Caronavirus found in wastewater in Netherlands
- WSAA Fact Sheet – Fact sheet developed to provide facts about drinking water and wastewater services and COVID-19
- Water Research Australia – Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Water and Sanitation fact sheet based on the latest developments emerging around the disease
World Health and Government Resources
- World Health Organisation – Information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019.
- Australian Government – Department of Health– resource page includes what you should know about the virus, situation updates, travel restrictions and resources and fact sheets for travellers, businesses, and others.
State and Territory Health Department Information
- Queensland Health
- Queensland Government
- NSW Health
- Victoria – Department of Health and Human Services
- SA Health
- ACT Health
- WA Department of Health
- Tasmanian Department of Health
- Northern Territory Department of Health
Workplace and Business Continuity Resources
- Australian Government – Australian Government Stimulus Measures and Assistance
- Fair Work Australia – Caronavirus and Australian Workplace Laws
- Safework Australia – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice
- Australian Government – Department of Health – Information for Employers
- McKinsey & Company – COVID-19 Implications for Business
- Harvard Business Review – Article – Lead your Business through the Coronavirus Crisis
Meeting and Event Specific Resources
- World Health Organisation – Key planning recommendations for mass gathering in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak.
- PCMA – Global Association of Business Events Leaders information page and resources.