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ARTICLE · 13 MARCH 2020

What are the workers compensation implications of the coronavirus?

Cooper Grace Ward
Cooper Grace Ward
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Cooper Grace Ward

Cooper Grace Ward

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Employers should familiarise themselves with workers' compensation implications of the coronavirus and to manage them.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Tony Park
Tony Park
Brady Cockburn
Brady Cockburn
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The emergence of coronavirus (COVID-19) has been one of the biggest news stories in 2020. It is causing chaos in parts of the world and disrupting world trade.

While the risk to Australian workers is very low, the magnitude of the threat is such that employers should take a quick moment to familiarise themselves with the workers' compensation implications and how they can manage them.

What is coronavirus?

According to the Australian Government Department of Health, coronavirus is a respiratory illness with symptoms ranging from a mild cough to pneumonia.

As at 6 March 2020, the World Health Organisation were reporting that there have been 95,270 confirmed cases in 79 countries with 80,565 of those being in China. There have only been 43 confirmed cases in Australia with 1 death. There have been 3,280 deaths worldwide.

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© Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers

Cooper Grace Ward is a leading Australian law firm based in Brisbane.

This publication is for information only and is not legal advice. You should obtain advice that is specific to your circumstances and not rely on this publication as legal advice. If there are any issues you would like us to advise you on arising from this publication, please contact Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers.

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