The ‘Bubble of One’ was announced yesterday as an option for those who can safely operate when deemed a close contact of a case of Covid-19. In some limited situations, there may be circumstances where this could apply in a hospitality business.
What is the Bubble of One? Under the new 3 Phase red light settings, at Phase Two and Phase Three, workers who are required to be self-isolating as a “close contact” are still allowed to work on-site under some strict conditions. The requirements are that the worker:
- is vaccinated
- their role is not customer facing
- does not have any symptoms (asymptomatic)
- are able to maintain an individual ‘bubble of one’ while at work (whether indoors or outdoors).
There are situations where this may be possible in a hospitality setting, below are the current guidelines for what makes a “bubble of one” possible:
- use a medical mask at all times (including wearing a medical mask before entry to the workplace, and changing as needed during the day)
- comply with any infection prevention and control protocols at work
- work in an indoor or outdoor space with no others present in that space (defined as an indoor space that has direct airflow with other spaces, or an outdoor space that is separated by at least two metres from other outdoor spaces)
- travel solo, too, from and around work or between jobs (the worker cannot use public transport)
- eat alone in a well-ventilated space, outdoors where possible
- use a dedicated bathroom (if this is not possible, no others should be present in the bathroom while the worker is using it)
- ensure that if symptoms develop at any stage, follow the public advice for close contacts with symptoms here.
- continue participating in regular workplace surveillance testing if this is already in place.
- At home, the worker must self-isolate as per standard for close contacts, including testing if applicable.