14 - 17 July 2021 / COVID-19

New Requirements for Residents of Fairfield & Latest Construction Advice

Construction is under intense scrutiny by the New South Wales Government following the detection of COVID-19 cases in the industry. The entire industry is working hard to ensure we continue to remain classified as an essential service. Everyone must do what is required to minimise risk of COVID-19 spreading on job sites. 

There are a number of key areas that we must follow across the industry, including on Hutchies' jobs:

  • Face masks must now be worn at all times on sites and in offices, unless it is not safe to do so
  • Maintaining stringent COVIDSafe measures including social distancing, good hand hygiene, and cleaning on all sites
  • Full compliance with all NSW Government directions at all times, including stay at home orders if you can work from home, and regular testing of specific local government areas in Greater Sydney as directed by the government
  • Checking in every time you enter a site using the Service NSW's QR code check in

Please ensure you follow the directions from the NSW Government as detailed below.

Once further details are confirmed over the coming days, we will provide further specific instructions with updated procedures to follow on site. This will include information tailored towards subcontractors.

Urgent testing for Fairfield residents

Everyone who lives in the Fairfield local government area (LGA) must have a COVID-19 test once every 72 hours in order to be allowed to enter a workplace (including construction sites).  

Residents of the Fairfield LGA should immediately go and get tested and keep evidence of their COVID-19 test (ie an SMS text message or email from the testing clinic). 

From this Saturday 17 July 2021, they must not attend their site / workplace without evidence of having a COVID-19 test. This provides everyone with ample opportunity to implement these latest requirements. 

If they have been tested and don't have symptoms, they can immediately return to work while waiting for their result.

Residents of the Fairfield LGA must also notify the Hutchies' Site Management Team that they live in the affected area. This includes all subcontractors, suppliers and their workforces.

Evidence of tests every 72 hours must be carried with you if you work outside the Fairfield LGA and presented as proof to your workplace, manager and / or a police officer as required.

If you have symptoms, you must follow the NSW Government's requirements and remain isolated until you receive a negative test result.

Testing Locations

Getting tested

We understand that construction workers may get priority test results if they advise the clinic that they are undertaking essential construction work.

Testing clinics across Fairfield and Greater Sydney have extended operating hours to enable more testing capacity under these new requirements.

You must get a test every 72 hours (3 days) when you are working outside the Fairfield local government area if you live in or are staying in the Fairfield local government area. Testing must be done regardless if you have symptoms or not.

If you test positive, follow the rules for people who are confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Entry to a workplace

A person from the Fairfield LGA must not enter a premises to work unless that person has had a COVID-19 test in the past 72 hours.

The workplace / employer is allowed to ask a person to show proof they have had a COVID-19 test in the past 72 hours.

There may be significant risk to others and penalties to anyone who does not comply with this requirement.

Greater Sydney COVID-19 tests

If you live in or are staying in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, you must have a COVID-19 test in the 7 days before working if your workplace is 50km or more outside Greater Sydney.

Map of 50km zone around Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas