Queensland's resources sector will move quickly to comply with the Chief Health Officer's (CHO) decision to approve vaccinations for Fly in, Fly Out (FIFO) and Drive in, Drive Out (DIDO) workers, in a move designed to increase protection for regional communities from the more infectious Delta strain of the Covid virus.
As well as encouraging FIFO and DIDO employees to register through the Queensland Health (QH) website to get vaccinated, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has commenced planning to establish a vaccination hub for FIFO workers at the Brisbane Airport, subject to Pfizer vaccine availability.
Queensland resources workers of all ages who fly or drive to their workplace – and reside in accommodation near the worksite which is not their usual home – while performing their shift swing in Queensland or in other parts of Australia or Papua New Guinea, are now part of the 1b vaccination priority cohort and eligible for vaccination.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said vaccinating FIFO and DIDO workers is an important step amongst a range of initiatives underway to protect regional communities from Covid.
These include health checks at the Brisbane Airport prior to employees flying into regional areas; elevated onsite Covid-safe practices including mask-wearing at all times unless unsafe; and additional cleaning and hygiene regimes.
Mr Macfarlane said opening up priority access to vaccinations for FIFO and DIDO workers is another step towards making regional areas safer and will help reduce community concerns about resources employees travelling to and from work from different areas.
"At this stage, Queensland's vaccination roll-out is driven by the availability of vaccine supplies, which are steadily increasing, but the QRC has made it clear to government that vaccinating resources communities remains a high priority," he said.
"The QRC will continue to advocate for resources communities to be vaccinated as soon as supplies become available."
FIFO and DIDO workers of any age can now book a vaccination through https://www.vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au/.
People classified as a 1b vaccination priority include aged care, disability care and health care workers; teachers, transport drivers, quarantine, airport, border and FIFO/DIDO workers; and critical and high-risk workers such as defence, police, fire and emergency services.
Mr Macfarlane said the resources sector will continue to observe all Covid-19 protocols as outlined by the CHO and keep encouraging resources companies to maintain their high standards.
"The QRC is in constant contact with all relevant government agencies to ensure the sector is doing everything it can to keep the industry's workforce and regional communities safe from Covid," he said.
People in the 1b priority category can book a Covid-19 vaccination by:
- Going to https://www.vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au/ and selecting FIFO drop-down option (also for DIDO workers). Bookings offered at Queensland Health vaccination locations.
- Vaccinations may be arranged by employer and Queensland Health, which could include on-site vaccinations.
