Updated: 5th August 1.16pm AEST
Empowering you to make the right choice
- Zeep is closely monitoring the situation regarding the Covid-19 outbreak and how it could affect your current and future commitments to staff the hospitals across Australia
- At this stage all arranged locums are going ahead, and we continue to receive a ‘normal’ level of locum requests.
- State border controls are in place in NSW, TAS, QLD, NT, SA and WA. See below for further details.
- If you have a confirmed locum starting soon and are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19. Please urgently contact your Zeep partner.
- Your Zeep partner is available to answer your questions and help you make the right choice for you.
Important links for doctors
NSW – Updated advice for healthcare workers who are returned overseas travellers and for all healthcare professionals is available on the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus-professionals.aspx
QLD – Updated advice for health care workers is available on the QLD Health website – https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/novel-coronavirus-qld-clinicians
State Border Controls
All states with cross border travel isolation requirements have confirmed that doctors travelling for work reasons are exempt from the requirements to self isolate
We are now learning how each state will implement the exemptions. What we know is as follows
QUEENSLAND – From 1am on Saturday 8th August, Queensland will not allow NSW, VIC and ACT residents to enter the state. All QLD residents will be required to enter hotel quarantine at their expense. Whilst ‘Essential Workers’ are provided exemptions to the quarantine requirements, the policy of individual hospitals may still require doctors to fulfil a period of self isolation prior to commencing work.
NEW SOUTH WALES – Travellers from Victoria will be required to enter 14 day quarantine. ‘Essential Workers’ can seek exemption, however Hospital policy may still require a doctor to enter self-isolation
TASMANIA -The state of Tasmania have introduced an exemption approval process that may allow doctors to enter the state for work. Zeep have the required forms, and will assist any doctor to complete and submit their application.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA – Returning SA Health employees are instructed to isolate for 14 days on return to the state – in exceptional circumstances, the CEO can grant an exemption.
NORTHERN TERRITORY – NT have put in place a risk based assessment for all doctors planning to arrive in the state.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA – Interstate Doctors are now required to isolate for 14 days before commencing work.
Please be aware that some hospitals and local health districts, based on specific risk assessments districts will have specific travel and locum advice. Please contact your Zeep partner to discuss your situation.
Contingency Planning
- Zeep has implemented our pandemic management plan in full
- All Zeep employees are instructed to work from home should they display any symptoms of Covid-19
- Zeep has cutting edge cloud computing technology, allowing all employees to ‘work from home’. As such service levels will remain ‘business as usual
24-hour Zeep helpline
Zeep are available to help you whilst you are on your locum. Should your situation change, before or during your locum, please get in touch so we can assist you with your needs.
7am to 9pm Monday to Friday – please contact your Zeep Partner or Locum Support Manager by Mobile and Email. We will endeavour to respond within 30 mins
9pm – 7am Evenings and Weekends – please call 02 8379 4000. Should you need to leave a message, and we will endeavour to return your call as soon as we can.
Zeep wishes to thank all doctors and healthcare workers, as they go about their important work. Zeep are here to support you where we can, and help ensure Australia has the healthcare that they need at this crucial time.
