Vaccination rules for businesses

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From Monday 11 October 2021, only people who are fully vaccinated will be permitted to access businesses that are allowed to open under the NSW COVID-19 Public Health Order.

People who are not fully vaccinated may not be able to access certain businesses, for more information visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/business/covid-safe-business/vaccination-rules-for-businesses-their-staff-and-customers

Areas of Wentworth Shire Council’s business that are now subject to vaccination rules are:

  • Customer Service area 26-28 Adelaide Street Wentworth,
  • Visitor Information Centre Wentworth,
  • Wentworth and Dareton Libraries,
  • Customer Service area/Library Midway Centre Buronga.

Businesses must take reasonable steps to ensure that:

  • A person who is over 16 years of age who is not fully vaccinated is not allowed on the premises
  • A person who is under 16 years old and is not fully vaccinated is only on the premises if they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated member of their household or they are on the premises for work
  • Staff who are on the premises for the purpose of work must have 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

Reasonable steps include:

  • Displaying vaccination rules from NSW Health in prominent position
  • Asking to see a person’s vaccination evidence, or for a child under 16 years of age, evidence of their name and address. We do not record / keep vaccination evidence – just sight the evidence provided
  • Please be aware that a person may not wish to show you their vaccination evidence. If you do not believe that a person is fully vaccinated, you must ask them to leave. If the person refuses to leave, advise that you will notify police

Only three forms of evidence of vaccination (or medical exemption) should be accepted:

  • A printed version of the COVID-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement
  • A COVID-19 digital certificate displayed through the Medicare App, Service NSW app or equivalent smartphone wallet
  • Successful completion of a Service NSW QR check-in that includes vaccination confirmation,
  • A medical exemption, which includes either; a medical contraindication certificate, or a medical clearance form.

Penalties may apply for individuals and businesses who don’t comply:

  • Individuals – on the spot fines of $1,000 may apply for not complying, or for using fraudulent evidence of vaccination or check-in
  • Businesses – on the spot fines of $5,000 may apply for not complying, or for using fraudulent evidence of vaccination or check-in