Human Swine Flu - Information for business

Businesses urged to ramp up pandemic preparedness

With a significant rise expected in the numbers of people contracting influenza throughout the community in coming weeks, Tasmanian businesses are again urged to examine their contingency plans for covering business operations with fewer staff.

Business owners and managers should also again ensure that appropriate hygiene measures are in place and reinforced within their workplaces.

Importantly, as the number of people with human swine flu increases, so too will the pressures on medical facilities and GPs. 

So employers are urged not to insist on medical certificates from employees who are ill with flu symptoms. Consider accepting statutory declarations from staff on return to work instead.. 

The important message is that everybody, on recognising the first symptoms of flu (fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches), should stay at home, self-manage with over-the-counter medication, and phone 1800 FLU DOC (1800 358 362) if they are worried about how sick they are.

However, those at higher risk of severe illness (including pregnant woman in the middle and early stages of pregnancy, people with underlying conditions like respiratory disease, heart disease, diabetes, renal disease, significant obesity or weakened immunity should seek medical advice early if they get sick.

You can download information on what you can do to protect yourself from flu (Adobe PDF 145KB) 

The Tasmanian Government’s Preparing for a Pandemic website also has resources available to help businesses manage through a flu pandemic, including what does it mean for the business sector, employers and employees and the latest news updates.


If you develop a fever AND cough, sore throat or runny/blocked nose within seven days of travel to Mexico, the United States, Canada or any other country with cases of Human Swine Flu, please phone 1800 FLU DOC (1800 352 362) for assessment or advice straight away. More information is available here.

To find out more about human swine flu, visit the World Health Organisation (WHO) website: http://www.who.int/en/