Protocol for Use of Rapid Antigen Tests – MRNSW Operational
As COVID-19 continues to impact our community, MRNSW remains committed to supporting our members and providing a safe workplace while maintaining our frontline operations.
With the increase in the Omicron variant of COVID-19 across the community, both the Commonwealth and State Governments have changed the option for, and requirement to, test for COVID-19. This has seen an increased opportunity and reliance on rapid antigen tests (RATs). RATs are seen as a quick way for businesses to detect COVID-19 and protect their workers and customers.
RATs can pick up the COVID-19 virus very early in the infection, sometimes before symptoms appear. Individuals can show no symptoms but still carry the virus and may transmit it to others.
Rapid antigen tests provide results quickly and are reported to help reduce the spread of the virus and prevent outbreaks across workplaces and the community.
MRNSW undertook a review of our risk assessment in early January 2022 which considered the use of RATs as an additional risk mitigation option and an additional layer to our COVID-19 risk protocols.
It was determined that RATs will add a layer of assurance to maintain our operations and to as best possible ensure members reporting for frontline operational duties are not infectious with COVID 19. Based on this the use of RATs will form part of our operational management together with our current risk protocols as we move forward in the current environment.
MRNSW continues to encourage all members to get vaccinated and where eligible receive their booster. The ability remains for members to upload their vaccination status on Otter.
Who will be required to undergo a RAT prior to MRNSW Duty?
To best manage member safety, operational capability and the commercial availability of RATs, MRNSW will only require members to undertake a RAT prior to duty for the functions of;
- Radio watches including trainees, and
- Rostered vessel duty crews, including training
RATs will not be required for emergency call out where it is not practical to undertake a test prior to deployment, except for members in home isolation as a household close contact. These members are required to undertake a RAT as detailed further in this document.
These functions are critical to our frontline operational service and in many cases require members to spend longer periods of time together and in close proximity.
This requirement is an addition to the current operating risk protocols which will continue to apply to these and all other MRNSW functions.
Where MRNSW COVID Risk protocols allow training and Unit meetings to be permitted (level 1), Unit Commanders can determine the requirement for RATs for members attending these activities based on a localised risk assessment. The risk assessment should consider the number of participants, the duration of the activities and the location and size of the facility.
What if a member has recently had COVID 19, is testing required?
Routine COVID-19 testing (such as workplace and school surveillance testing) is not recommended for 12 weeks after you are released from self-isolation.
What if I am exposed to someone with COVID-19 again?
People who have recovered from COVID-19 have a low risk of getting it again in the 12 weeks after you are released as most people develop some immunity (ability to fight the disease).
If you come into contact with someone with COVID-19 within 12 weeks after you are released, you will generally not need to self-isolate or get a test. If you come into contact with someone with COVID-19 more than 12 weeks after you are released, you will need to self-isolate, test and follow the advice
How will the process work and when should I take the RAT?
Each Unit will be supplied a number of RATs based on previous forecasting (approx. 4 weeks supply) which will in turn be provided to members rostered for upcoming shifts.
It will be the responsibility of each unit to manage the distribution to their operational members, with units required to maintain a register of distributed RATs to ensure they are only issued to members undertaking radio or vessel duties and not supplied in bulk.
Members undertaking radio operator watches and rostered vessel duties will be required to undertake a RAT within the 12 hours prior to their rostered duty. Members undertaking back to back shifts will on be required to take a test every 48 hour period. For example a crew or radio operator rostered on a Saturday and Sunday will only require a test prior to the Saturday shift.
The test can be taken at the member’s residence and is not required to be witnessed or undertaken at the MRNSW base.
Members who are symptomatic should refrain from attending any MRNSW duties.
RAT Results
Should a member receive a positive RAT result then the member is to immediately notify the Unit Commander or a delegated member and advise that they are unavailable for their duty. Member’s results will be treated in confidence. The member should then follow and adhere to government health advice for positive test results.
Members who receive a negative RAT result are free to attend duty. When reporting for duty members will be required to sign a self-declaration register at the unit base or on board the vessel to confirm a test has been taken and the result was negative. Units will be required to maintain this register and provide to HQ if requested.
What if a member refuses to undertake a RAT prior to duty?
MRNSW considers the adoption of this added safety measure as an important step in minimising risk to our members and maintaining capability to deliver our important lifesaving services. Members who do not wish to undertake this requirement should notify their Unit Commander, who may reassign the member to alternate non-operational frontline duties or grant a period of leave from rostered duties.
What type of RAT will members be provided?
A combination of nasal and saliva tests are in circulation.
Saliva (lollipop) test kits are from the manufacturer V-Chek. Detailed instructions for the use are provided with each kit, as is a QR scan code which takes you to an instructional video. V-Chek kits are a self-testing kit provided in secured individual packs.
The nasal tests are Onsite COVID-19 Ag Self-Test – Nasal swab
Links to both self-test kit details are detailed below.
What if a member is in isolation as household close contact, can they attend duty?
On 14 January 2022, the NSW Government issued an exemption to the Public Health Order (COVID 19 Self Isolation) for critical workers within NSW who are required to isolate after being determined a close household contact. Under the exemption MRNSW staff and volunteers are classified as critical workers.
MRNSW has determined that critical workers apply to members engaged in radio and vessel operations.
Under the exemption critical workers are exempt from clauses 7A and 8 of the order for the purposes of attending work, in our case volunteering subject to certain conditions. One such condition requires;
- Critical workers must undergo daily Rapid Antigen Test (RATs) for a period of 7 days from when they last had contact with the diagnosed person, and must notify their employer of each result.
MRNSW does not maintain adequate RAT supplies to provide to members required to self-isolate and undertake daily RAT. Members will be required to acquire their own tests for this purpose.
While this exemption will support MRNSW maintaining its critical rescue and radio monitoring services, our preference should always be to utilise members who are not bound by any isolation orders. This will minimise any potential exposure to our members and the boating community.
How long will this requirement be in place for?
MRNSW will continue to monitor the Government health advice and data around community transmission rates and the risk that poses to our frontline services. It remains our goal to operate with as little restrictions as possible while maintaining a safe workplace.
Important Information Links
Marine Rescue NSW Operating Risk Protocols Level
www.marinerescuensw.com.au/members/covid-19-operations-in-2021/covid-19-risk-management-protocols/
NSW Government COVID 19 Information
www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
NSW Government Health Advice – Testing Following Having COVID 19
www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/management/advice-for-confirmed
NSW Health Rapid Antigen Test Poster
www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-01/Using%20a%20rapid%20antigen%20test%20English%20Poster.pdf
V-Chek COVID-19 Antigen Saliva Test Information
www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-are-approved-australia-ifu-374065.pdf
Nasal RATS’s – OnSite COVID-19 Ag Self Test – Nasal swab
www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-are-approved-australia-ifu-332961.pdf
MRNSW COVID – 19 RAT Guidance Note to Units & Members, Version 2 – 31 March 2022