Dominic Perrottet said on Monday that the state government was “completely focused” on maintaining the food supply workforce to keep NSW supermarket shelves stocked.But he said that while the industry would have to wait to get priority RATs because other groups needed them more.“We are working through those issues now. Our number one priority is to use the rapid antigen tests we have procured from a state-based level in those areas such as schools, such as social housing, vulnerable communities, Indigenous communities,” Mr Perrottet said.“That‘s our focus. We are working through that distribution at the moment. But ultimately as we what you will see as we move through is a substantial amount of supply being available through private supply chains as well.”Mr Perrottet revealed NSW was looking to purchase another 50 million tests, but said “ultimately” the tests would go to “schools, social housing, protecting vulnerable communities”.“We have been in discussion with them with regard to the process … if changes need to be made we will and we will make sure that those who need a rapid antigen tests get one in circumstances where they are at work and are required to keep key distribution networks moving,” he said.It comes as up to a third of all retail staff are off work thanks to Covid but one government minister has touted an overnight rule change as the solution to supply chain issues. Retailers including Coles and Woolworths are missing up to 35 per cent of their distribution centre staff across Australia due to Covid testing and isolation requirements.Staff shortages are said to be reaching critical levels, further impacting the supply chain crisis on shelves as thousands of employees are off sick with the virus or in isolation as close contacts.It comes as NSW brought in new rules on Sunday which allows close contacts out of isolation to work if their job is critical for food supply or emergency services. Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud told The Today Show he hoped the changes to restrictions in NSW and QLD would help revive the supply chain.“It has to (work), I mean, when you‘ve got 35% of your workforce out, you have to take the medical advice, the medical advice is that we’re not just opening up in these two states, you actually have to have a negative test. if you are a close contact you can go back to work,” Mr Littleproud said.“This is a sensible decision as long as it is backed by science.”He urged shoppers not to panic buy.“That also exacerbates the problem, there is plenty of food to go around. It is just a matter of getting it out of the storage facilities and onto the shelves,” he said.“You just need to give people time.”It’s understood between 20 to 40 per cent of Woolworths’ staff in distribution centres are absent, while a similar percentage of staff at Coles has also been affected. Daily Telegraph – News Feed latest episodeAs the supply chain breakdown reaches “unprecedented levels”, the Australian Retailers Association and Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association teamed up to call for amended isolation rules to fix the growing workforce shortage. Like other essential sectors, the ARA and SDA released a statement on Sunday calling on authorities to make a variety of changes including free priority RAT tests for workers, for retail staff be allowed back to work the second they test negative, a new, faster reporting method for rapid tests and scrapping reporting requirements of workers‘ test results to multiple government agencies.ARA CEO Paul Zahra said staff shortages caused by Covid isolation requirements were impacting up to 80 per cent of the organisation‘s members. “One in five of our businesses report up to 50% of their staff are affected by isolation currently, this level of impact is unprecedented,“ Mr Zahra said.“With workforce resources so constrained we are asking for a focus on directing testing resources where they are most needed to support essential services, and reducing reporting red-tape and administration processes as much as possible.”SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer said: “The safety of retail and warehouse workers is paramount as they work to guarantee access to food supplies essential products. To achieve this they must have immediate appropriate priority access to free Rapid Antigen Tests … this is a community health issue and governments at all levels must support the health and safety of these essential workers.” Shortages of fresh produce including fruit, vegetables and meat continue to impact supermarkets across Australia, with buying limits imposed on some meat products at Coles. NSW brought in new rules on Sunday which allows close contacts out of isolation to work if their job is critical for food supply or emergency services. Workers will only be allowed to leave self-isolation if their employer decides their absence from the workplace poses a high risk of disruption to the delivery of critical services or activities, according to NSW Health.It comes ahead of a potential pressure on pain-relief medication supplies after Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd urged Australians to buy up paracetamol, ibuprofen and other pain-relief medications to help manage fevers, aches and pains caused by the virus.“The first thing to do is to be prepared,” he said.“My advice is that you make sure you have some paracetamol or ibuprofen at home in case you’re diagnosed with Covid-19.“Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to manage fever and aches and pains.“It’s important to be prepared because you won’t be able to go to your supermarket or pharmacy if you are diagnosed with Covid-19.”NED-5192-DT-App-Banner
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