Douglas Cross

COVID Update – 5 August 2021

 

New South Wales 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a snap lockdown in the Hunter and Upper Hunter regions from 5:00 pm today (5 August 2021) until 12:01 am Friday 13 August 2021. The impacted local government areas are Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton and Muswellbrook.

The restrictions applied are the same as those in the Greater Sydney area.

The authorised worker’s information for all areas impacted by the NSW lockdown can be found here https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/authorised-workers

ACWA draws car wash operator attention to the permitted industry sector table on this page, specifically Section 8, Transport, Postal and Warehousing. This regulation appears to allow car wash sites to operate where the wash legitimately provides “vehicle repairs and critical maintenance including disinfection”.  Please do not consider this information as legal advice, check the relevant websites and make an informed decision.

Should car wash operators elect to open under this permitted category, ACWA strongly encourages the adoption of all COVID safe practices, including:

• COVID Safe Plans
• Appropriate QR Code Check-in Facilities
• Enforcement of site density limits

 

Queensland 

As previously reported, the Queensland government has extended its snap lockdown until 4 pm Sunday 8 August for 11 local government areas in southeast Queensland. The local government areas are;

• Brisbane City
• Moreton Bay
• Gold Coast
• Ipswich
• Lockyer Valley
• Logan City
• Noosa Shire
• Redland City
• Scenic Rim
• Somerset
• Sunshine Coast

ACWA advised earlier this week that despite appearing to be legally permitted to operate, car wash sites on the Gold Coast had been ordered by police to close. ACWA has since received advice from the member that “the police called back to say they had it wrong and we could remain open without being targeted”.

ACWA points out the following information contained in the Chief Health Officer’s (CHO) Restrictions for Locked Down Areas (South-East Queensland) Direction (No. 4)

1. Definition of Essential Business, Activity or Undertaking – means a business, activity or undertaking that is not prohibited under Schedule 3.
2. Definition of Essential Goods or Services – means good or services obtained from an essential business, activity or undertaking.
3. Under schedule 3 – Car Washing has not been listed as a business that must not operate.

Please do not interpret this message as legal advice. Be sure to check the official government website and make an informed decision.

The CHO’s Directions can be found here https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/restrictions-for-locked-down-areas

Please click the following link for information on Queensland $5,000 COVID Grant https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/covid19-support-grants

 

South Australia

After the states most recent closedown, COVID restrictions continue to ease.  Businesses are open and operating under mask and density limit type restrictions.

 

Western Australia

Western Australia has avoided lockdown or any new COVID restrictions after a mine worker’s unusual positive test result.

 

Tasmania

Tasmania recorded a new case in quarantine from NSW traveller; however there are no changes to restrictions in the state.

 

Victoria

Things are looking decidedly ominous in Victoria after two new local COVID-19 infections were reported today and another six yesterday. Victorian authorities have not ruled out lockdown number six, and there is likely to be a decision made in the hours ahead. Fingers are well and truely crossed!

 

ACT 

No Change.

 

NT

No Change.

 

COVID GRANTS AND GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS

Federal NSW and VIC Governments

ACWA’s Accountants have provided an excellent publication and we have emailed this directly to all members to read and follow the links.

South East Queensland COVID Lockdown Extended

The current lockdown in southeast Queensland will be extended until this coming weekend. The lockdown began last Saturday (July 31) will now be in place until 4 pm this Sunday (August 8).

ACWA is not in a position to provide legal advice; however, we draw your attention to the following:

Under current Restrictions for Locked Down Areas (South-East Queensland) Direction (No. 2), essential businesses are defined as follows;  “Essential business, activity or undertaking means a business, activity or undertaking that is not prohibited under Schedule 3″.

Notably, car washing is not listed in Schedule 3.

The definition and Schedule 3 can be found on the Queensland Health website here https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/restrictions-for-locked-down-areas.

Notwithstanding the above, ACWA has been made aware of at least two car wash sites on the Gold Coast that have been visited by police and ordered to close.

Grants and Funding

In other developments, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick also announced a $260 million support package that will be open to all businesses in Queensland regardless of whether they’re in a lockdown location. Companies will have to show they have experienced at least a 30 per cent reduction in turnover due to Queensland’s lockdown. The Treasurer advised that online applications will open in the coming days, with grant payments made into those businesses’ accounts within two weeks of government approval.

The Australian Government has also announced extra support for people affected by Queensland restrictions; however, the information is not yet available on the website. ACWA advises members to keep their eyes on the Federal Government funding announcements here  https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/covid-19-disaster-payment

Please stay safe.

South East Queensland 3 day lockdown from 4 pm Saturday 31 July 2021

ACWA has received advice from the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training that areas in South East Queensland are in lockdown since 4 pm last night.  The communication is provided below.

The lockdown is intended to be short, with restrictions harsh, and there is a long list of businesses that have been called out to close.

At this time, car washing has not been specifically identified as a business sector that must close. A complete list of business restrictions can be found here

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/restrictions-impacted-areas

NSW Members Covid Update – Lockdown Extended

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that NSW will remain in lockdown for a further four weeks until August 28, 2021.  The restrictions apply to Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour.  A copy of the Premier’s media release can be found here https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/certainty-for-community-as-restrictions-adjusted-and-vaccines-ramped-up

The entire Australian car wash industry sends its best wishes to our friends in Sydney during this challenging period.

There are few changes to restrictions announced today that apply to car wash operations; however, ACWA provides the following summary of changes.

From midnight tonight (Wed July 28 2021)

• Greater Sydney residents, including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour must limit their shopping to within their Local Government Area (LGA) or, if outside their LGA, within 10km from home, unless the item is not available locally.
• The Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River LGAs join the five existing LGAs subject to an Authorised Workers Order. Only authorised workers in these eight LGAs may leave their LGA for work. (The five previously announced LGAs of concern are Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland)

From 12.01 am, Saturday, July 31 2021

• Construction in non-occupied settings outside of the LGAs of concern (with no residents on-site) will re-open, subject to a one-person per 4sqm rule.
• Tradespeople, including cleaners who can work with zero contact with residents, may resume work (if outside the eight LGAs of concern).
• A singles bubble will also be introduced (allowing those who live alone to nominate one designated family member or friend to visit)
• All authorised workers from Canterbury-Bankstown LGA must get tested once every three days to leave their LGA for work.
• Those living in the Fairfield and Cumberland LGAs but working outside these areas as health or aged care workers must be tested once every three days to be allowed to work outside their LGA.

Changes to Business Support Packages

The Premier also announced some changes to business support packages.

ACWA encourages members to check eligibility for the JobSaver and COVID-19 Business Grants and potentially the opportunities opened to defer payroll tax benefits.  If you haven’t already investigated these opportunities, please click the following link https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/2021-covid-19-support-package/businesses-sole-traders-and-small-not-for-profits#jobsaver

Please stay safe.

South Australian Premier Announces End to Lockdown

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has released details about the state’s preparation to lift lockdown at midnight tonight.

A summary of restrictions that will remain in place include:

• Masks remain mandatory in all “high risk” settings – personal care services, passenger transport services and healthcare services and are “strongly recommended” in the workplace.
• Density requirement of one person per four square metres
• Food and beverage consumption seated only – outdoor and indoor
• Restrictions on shisha bars, dancing and singing to continue for seven days
• Household gatherings and private activities limited to 10 people maximum per household (including members of the home)
• Weddings and funerals can have a maximum of 50 people
• Gyms may reopen with one person per eight square metres
• Masks become part of the norm for secondary school pupils.

ACWA will provide further details if and when it becomes available

Victoria’s Lockdown will Officially be Lifted from 11.59 pm Tonight

The Victorian Premier has made a statement on the changed COVID restrictions in Victoria.  A copy of the message can be found here https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/lockdown-lifted-across-victoria

A summary of the Premier’s statement is as follows:

• Victorians will be able to leave their homes for any reason
• Businesses and venues can reopen with capacity and density limits of 1 person per 4sq m
• Hospitality, retail, beauty, personal care, entertainment venues and community facilities will open in line with density limits
• Masks required everywhere indoors and outdoors (except private residences)
• Live music venues, dance classes and physical recreation facilities, including gyms, will all open with density requirements of 1 person per 4sq m
• Schools will reopen on Wednesday
• No visitors to the home for the next fortnight
• Public gatherings will be allowed with up to 10 people
• If you can work from home, you should work from home. Office workers will be able to return up to 25 per cent or up to 10 people, whichever is greater.
• Holiday accommodation can only be booked with your household, intimate partner or single bubble person
• Entry to Victoria’s alpine resorts will require a negative Covid test and result within 72 hours before visiting. Children under 12 years of age are not required to be tested.
• Funerals and weddings will have a cap of 50 mourners

ACWA will provide further details if and when available.

COVID Update Around The Country

COVID news abounds today, and there have been several concurrent press announcements.  ACWA provides the following summary of important information.

 

COVID Safe Plans and QR Code Contact Tracing

ACWA has become aware of an instance in Victoria of Worksafe visiting a car wash site to undertake inspections to ensure COVID Safe Plans and Contact QR Code Tracing practices.  We are unaware that this is part of an orchestrated campaign or a random check; however it serves as an alert for all Members.

ACWA has advised members on several occasions that it highly recommends implementing COVID Safe Plans and QR Code Contract Tracing at all car wash sites. Please be sure you comply with your state regulations, as these systems are compulsory in most states.

 

South Australia

South Australia will move from Level 4 Restrictions and enter a statewide lockdown under Level 5 restrictions from 6.00 pm tonight, Tuesday 20 July 2021.  The restrictions are currently in place for one week.

Premier Steven Marshall announced in today’s press conference that under the new rules, there would only be five reasons to leave home.  Those reasons are:

1. Care and compassion (for example, caring for a loved one)
2. Essential work
3. The purchase of essential goods such as groceries
4. Medical reasons, including vaccinations
5. Exercise (only people in the same household)

As is usual, the devil will be in the detail.  At this time, new Public Activities Directions are pending, and the SA Government website has not been updated.  The facts, when posted, can be found here https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/response.

 

New South Wales

There has been no change to business conditions since our last communication; however, as the regulations are quite recent, we will repeat some of the information already provided.

As previously outlined, new restrictions for Businesses in Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour, came into effect from 11.59 pm 17 July 2021. They will last until 11.59 pm on Friday, 30 July.

The COVID rules for NSW can be found here https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules

ACWA respects that there will be some members who review the regulations and decide to close their sites. Others will elect to remain open.

At this time, ACWA does not believe it is in the industry’s best interest to seek formal clarification from the NSW Government.  Our experience in dealing with other state governments, notably Victoria, suggests that formalising enquiries may remove options for car wash businesses intending to continue operations under somewhat confusing messaging.

At this time, ACWA does not believe it is in the industry’s best interest to seek formal clarification from the NSW Government.  Our experience in dealing with other state governments, notably Victoria, suggests that formalising enquiries may remove options for car wash businesses intending to operate in any “grey area” created by confusing regulations.

Operators should note the information provided in this email should not be construed as permission to operate; however, ACWA points the following out to members.

• ACWA has been unable to locate any regulation that explicitly calls on car washing to close.
• The Authorised Worker List published on the NSW COVID website here https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/authorised-workers#transport-postal-and-warehousing allows workers to attend a worksite that provide “vehicle repairs and critical maintenance, including disinfection” services.
• Petrol stations may remain open; therefore, car wash services at petrol stations, in particular, appear exempt from closure.

 

Victoria

Victoria’s current lockdown has been extended for an additional seven days, and conditions have not changed. Notably, the lockdown is now set to expire at 11.59 pm on Tuesday, 27 July 2021.

 

Other States and Territories

No Change.

 

Changes to NSW Lockdown Conditions

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced new restrictions for Business which will come into effect from 11.59 pm tonight.  At this time, the details have not made it to the NSW COVID websites; however, the Premier’s media statement can be found here https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/restrictions-to-further-limit-spread-of-covid-19-delta-strain

Often the devil is in the detail, and without that information available, we can only state what is on the media statement.  It declares that from 11.59 pm on Saturday, 17 July:

• Retail premises will be required to close (‘click and collect’, takeaway, and home delivery can still operate), except the following can remain open:
  • Supermarkets and grocery stores (including butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stores, liquor stores and fishmongers);
  • Stores that predominantly sell health, medical, maternity and infant supplies;
  • Pharmacies and chemists;
  • Petrol stations;
  • Car hire;
  • Banks and financial institutions;
  • Hardware, nurseries and building supplies;
  • Agricultural and rural supplies;
  • Pet supplies;
  • Post offices and newsagents; and
  • Office supplies.

We will provide further details when full details of the Chief Medical Officers directions are available.

Victoria has introduced a snap five-day lockdown from 11.59 pm on Thursday 15 July 2021.  At this time, restrictions conclude 11.59 pm next Tuesday.

Full details of the lockdown restrictions can be found here 210715 – Table of Restrictions_0

New Lockdown for Victoria from Tonight

Premier Daniel Andrews has just announced a new lockdown for Victoria. Details are not yet on the website.

According to news reports, the state-wide restrictions will be enforced from 11.59 pm tonight until 11.59 pm next Tuesday night.

Andrews said the lockdown would be “identical” to the most recent one in the state.  “If you were authorised to work then, you will be authorised to work now. If you were closed then, you will be closed now,” he said.

As of 11.59 pm tonight, there will be only five reasons to leave home:

1. Essential shopping
2. Authorised work
3. Exercise (two-hour limit with one other person)
4. Care-giving
5. Getting vaccinated

Parts of regional Victoria could potentially leave the five-day lockdown early, depending on the results.

We will provide additional details when they are available.