COVID Safe Plan

Since the start of the pandemic, the health and safety of our people, partners and the communities has been our top priority.

Vaccination requirements to enter a CSIRO site

CSIRO recognises that a person who is vaccinated against COVID-19 is much less likely to transmit the virus and to suffer serious health effects if they catch COVID-19.

To uphold our duty of care to provide the safest possible workplace, from 17 January 2022 it will be a requirement that all staff, visitors and contractors (who are 16+) be fully vaccinated to attend a CSIRO site, unless they have a valid medical exemption.

If you are visiting a CSIRO site, you will need to sign in and show evidence of your vaccination status or authorised medical exemption. This evidence can be in the form of a:

• COVID-19 digital Apple Wallet or Google Pay certificate
• Certificate of immunisation (including COVID- 19 digital certificate)
• Immunisation history statement obtained from the Australian Immunisation Register.

Visitor Centres

Vaccination requirements will not apply to members of the public attending our Visitor Centres in NSW and Canberra, including the Discovery Centre, Parkes Observatory, Compact Array Visitors Centre and Canberra Space Centre, however additional control measures will remain in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19. This includes the recommendation to wear a mask for any visitor 12 years or older, unless a medical exemption applies.

COVIDSafe measures on CSIRO sites

We continue to implement a broad range of COVIDSafe measures across all CSIRO sites, including:

• Physical distancing is practiced and we have increased cleaning for high traffic areas and high touch surfaces
• Hand cleaning stations are located at all site entrances and throughout our buildings and we have information available for everyone on safe practices (posters, handouts, MyCSIRO)
• Face masks are required where physical distancing is not possible and where it is directed by the State or Territory
• If our people are unwell, they are supported to stay home
• Meetings are conducted virtually or in rooms where physical distancing is implemented
• Meetings with collaborators and customers are conducted virtually and on site depending on the current situation at each site
• We have delivery protocols to limit contact between drivers and our people
• Our air-conditioning meets national standards
• Our COVID-19 Reporting and Response Protocol describes what we do in the event one of our people, contractors or visitors has tested positive for COVID-19. We have protocols in place for communicating with the parties involved and for cleaning and management of the immediate workplace if the person was on site when contagious
• Research fieldwork is being undertaken subject to ongoing risk management assessments and safe working instructions. We have special protocols for working with vulnerable groups and communities
• Visitors and contractors attending our sites must register and complete a health declaration.

In some jurisdictions additional requirements will apply, in line with local state and territory public health orders.

Documents supporting this plan

• COVID Safe Plans (for each site)
• Return to Site Plan
• Health Declaration by Contractors and Visitors
• COVID-19 Communication Protocol.