The Emergency Management (Metropolitan Fire Service Workers Vaccination) (COVID-19) Direction 2022 has been created. This Direction will come into effect at 12.01am on 13 February 2022 (signed 3.58pm on 1 February 2022).
Key changes include:
People who engage in work or perform duties in a Metropolitan Fire Service setting need to:
- Have received at least one dose of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved COVID-19 vaccination;
- Have received (or have evidence of a booking to receive) a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination;
- Have a third COVID-19 vaccination dose / booster (or have evidence of a booking to receive a COVID-19 booster) within the *prescribed time.
This direction applies to all South Australia Metropolitan Fire Service workers (both metropolitan and regional) - including firefighters, public sector employees, along with contractors and volunteers who perform work at an MFS setting.
Prescribed time means:
- for a person who has been infected with COVID-19, within 4 months of their first positive COVID-19 test, or within 4 months of their second dose of a TGA approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccine, whichever is later; and
- for any other person, within 4 months of their second dose of a TGA approved or recognised COVID-19.
However, a Metropolitan Fire Service worker is not required to have a COVID-19 booster shot if:
- They have a medical certificate or a letter from a legally qualified medical practitioner certifying that the person:
- Has a medical exemption from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine on either a permanent or temporary basis in accordance with guidelines published by ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation); or
- Has a medical exemption on either a permanent or temporary basis from receiving the preferred vaccine as recommended by ATAGI for the person's age; or
- Has an appointment to be assessed by a medical specialist or has started an assessment to determine if they have a medical exemption; and
- The certificate or letter specifies the nature of the exemption and the basis on which it applies; and
- The Chief Public Health Officer or her delegate has endorsed the exemption; and
- The person provides the Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Service setting with a copy of the endorsement.
- Contractors who engage in work or performing duties at a Metropolitan Fire Service setting on a single occasion or on an infrequent and irregular basis.
The information above only highlights the key changes made to the Directions and does not reflect all requirements. Members of the public are encouraged to see the full Directions for further information.
All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations
If you require further information you can call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19
