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COVID Treatment Policy and COVID Cancellation Policy
January 20, 2022
There are two issues that are arising that require a policy review that we will address here. These are:
- COVID Treatment Policy
- COVID Cancellation Policy
COVID-19 Treatment Proticol
As you are aware, we have lived with COVID-19 now for nearly two years and we have become familiar with the ongoing disruptions and the constant need for change in the way we operate to accommodate the various government requirements.
As professionals, we need to determine how we can best navigate the need for change without compromising our safety or the safety of our clients. While we have guided you in identifying and implementing your infection control protocols there is another issue that is frequently arising, questions such as “How much time shoild I leave if someone has been infected with COVID-19 and have they recently been vaccinated?”.
We have reached out to various Health Ministers to gain health advice, however, to date the only answer we have received is that we should establish our own policies for our members and our industry, based on the potential treatment risks as currently there is no formal health advice.
So here are our recommendations:
Infected clients:
If a client has been infected, they will be required to self-isolate for two weeks and present you with a negative PCR test or a rapid antigen (RAT) test in order to access any further services from you.
If a staff member has been infected outside of your work environment, they will need to self-isolate for two weeks and gain a clearance that they are COVID-free through a negative PCR or RAT test.
If a staff member or a client has been infected while in your business, the business is required to close, and you and all members of your staff will need to self-isolate for a two-week period. Before returning to work all parties will need to ensure they have medical clearance. This is a very cruel predicament to a business, so it is important that strict infection control measures are implemented in your business to minimise potential risks.
What about clients who have recently had their vaccination? How much time should they wait before they can access your services? As there is also no formal health advice, here is APAN’s position:
- Consultation: Conduct a thorough consultation with your client and carefully review any health concerns or known sensitivities. Question whether they have had any adverse reactions to the vaccine. This will allow you to determine any potential risk factors.
- Evaluate the procedure you are offering them: Determine potential risk of delayed sensitivity. If the procedure involves skin penetration (dermal needling, or cosmetic tattooing), the risks of delayed sensitivity are higher as the immune system would be challenged, and in conjunction with the vaccine, it may contribute to an adverse reaction. This is where you will need to use your discretion. Ideally, they should wait 4-6 weeks post vaccine before an invasive procedure is performed.
However, if your client insists on having the treatment, it is advisable that they sign a formal Consent and Waiver form releasing you from any responsibility, should they experience a delayed sensitivity reaction. If you don’t have a legal statement in place, contact our office for assistance.
With regards to Queensland, you can add your voice through a petition to Qld Legislative Council which we have also signed urging the government to determine COVID Treatment Protocols. Please see the information and link below and sign the petition if you wish to support it:
COVID Treatment Protocols Petition
To: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
Queensland citizens draw to the attention of the House the lack of information on available treatment protocols for those infected with COVID-19 and its variants. This applies to both ‘vaccinated’ and ‘unvaccinated’ Queenslanders.
Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to ensure the provision of information as to what treatment protocols are being actively administered, or made available to all Queenslanders infected by COVID and its variants.
