Yahoo Finance ‘BE VERY CAUTIOUS’: $55,000 warning to dodgy NSW businesses
Businesses failing to uphold COVID-safe requirements and GPs charging for vaccines have been put on notice as NSW records its highest day of COVID-19 cases ever.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Saturday reminded GPs and health clinics that they are not allowed to charge patients for COVID-19 vaccination consultation, amid reports of more clinics attempting to extract fees.
“It is very disappointing to see any GP, who is otherwise... generally [there] to look after us, would also dip their finger or hand in somebody else's pocket to get money they should not have,” Hazzard said.
“I would say also to GPs... do not forget that that may well be considered to be unprofessional practice, and you may well be referred to the federal body by the Federal Government.
“Be very cautious, but the bottom line here is, vaccines are free, your services should be free, the Federal Government picks up the tab on that. You should not be getting any extra.”
A GP clinic in Campsie charged patients fees of up to $250 to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, with the surgery claiming the fees were “new patient registration fees”.
However, the COVID-19 vaccine and associated consultations are completely free, regardless of whether the patient has a Medicare card.
Responding to questions around whether fines should be introduced for these clinics, Hazzard said it is a matter for the Federal Government.
$55,000 fines for non-compliant businesses
Hazzard also issued a warning to businesses failing to maintain their COVID-safe requirements.
Some 12 KFC Punchbowl staff members have tested positive this week, raising concerns over how well businesses are keeping their workers safe.
Businesses are liable for fines of up to $10,000 if they have been found to force non-essential workers to travel to the workplace.
If they’re found to have breached public health orders, businesses can face penalties of up to $55,000 and an additional $27,500 penalties for each following day of non-compliance, eventually leading to forced closures of up to a month.
Commending large supermarkets Coles, Aldi and Woolworths for their COVID-safe compliance, Hazzard said smaller businesses have significant room for improvement.
“We really need to remind all the smaller businesses to do the right thing and follow the COVID-safe plan. The reason you are allowed to operate is because you have a COVID-safe plan,” he said.
“You don't want your business to be the one that gets shut down but we also don't want to see you or your staff and up positive.”
Workplace COVID-19 spread continues to pose a major headache for NSW Health, with a large portion of current community transmission occurring in essential workplace settings.
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