COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 UPDATE –  Increased Face Mask Restrictions for Brisbane and Moreton Bay

Queensland Health has just announced increased restrictions for Brisbane and Moreton Bay to apply from today; 28 September 2021.

You must wear a face mask outdoors when you are unable to stay 1.5 metres away from people unless:

• you are alone or with the members of your household;
• you are alone in your car or with the members of your household;
• you are eating or drinking;
• you are participating in strenuous exercise; or
• it is unsafe to wear a mask.

You must wear a face mask indoors, including workplaces unless:

• you can stay 1.5 metres away from others (only in your workplace);
• you are at your residence, and there is no one else there except people you live with;
• you are eating or drinking; or
• it is unsafe to wear a mask.

Dear Members,

It is challenging for those in states not impacted by harsh COVID restrictions to understand the financial, mental and physical impact of extended lockdowns. This is particularly true in Melbourne, where members are doing it really tough, and the state’s leaders are taking a “no back down” approach to business restrictions.

My thoughts, and I am sure the sentiments of all of those with the good fortune to be located in a “non-locked down state,”  are with those friends and colleagues who are forced to struggle during ongoing lockdowns.  Hopefully, we are seeing daily vaccination rates that will result in us returning to something more normal in the weeks ahead.

The following bulletin focuses on current conditions in Victoria, ACT and NSW, where Governments have recently announced their “roadmaps” out of COVID lockdown.

Victoria

Victorian members can rest assured that despite the highly challenging circumstances dealing with a Government that will not compromise on its approach to business lockdowns, ACWA has not backed down. Every day and at every opportunity, we contact politicians and public servants pushing car washing’s case to reopen.

ACWA has been advocating the safety and necessity of commercial car washing in Victoria for 18 months. However, the last couple of months has seen our tac change slightly by intensifying our focus on reopening contactless automatic car washes in the immediate term.

To this end, for many weeks, ACWA has been calling on the Chief Health Officer (and several other Government Ministers and Departments) to alter the Authorised Worker and Provider lists to, at a minimum, allow the operation of Automatic Car Washes.

In what appears to have been a slight change in attitude, ACWA yesterday received positive advice from the Office of the Chief Health Officer that the application is now “being considered”.

I also take this moment to acknowledge the work of ACWA Director Andrew Triant from Wash World for orchestrating today’s Herald Sun (page 8) editorial on the plight of car washing.

Recent Victorian Announcements

The Victorian Government has announced that there will be a modest easing of restrictions from 11:59 pm tonight (Tuesday 28 September 2021) as 80% of Victorians have now received a single COVID-19 vaccine dose.

This includes the Greater Geelong and Surf Coast municipalities exiting lockdown with their restrictions aligned with the rest of regional Victoria.

However, there will be no changes for business in metropolitan Melbourne.

The changes in metropolitan Melbourne include some minimal concessions to personal like including:

• Recreation activities outdoors permitted, e.g. golf, boating, tennis, etc
• Gatherings outdoors increased to up to 5 adults, from 2 households
• Increase in the maximum travel distance to 15 km when leaving home for shopping and exercise

Members can access full details of the Victorian Roadmap here https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorias-roadmap

New South Wales

Whilst it appears that many of our NSW based members have continued to operate during the lockdown, ACWA has been proactively politicking to have commercial car washing specified as an essential business. There have been approaches made to several ministers and government officials. Still, to date, we have not received confirmation, nor has there been the wholesale change to the health regulations for car washing we have called for.

NSW “Roadmap to Recovery”

At Sunday’s media conference, the Premier focused on the following:

• The 70% double dose rules that would apply from 11 October 2021
• Provided detail around the rules that will apply at 80% full vaccination
• Provided some detail of rules that will apply from 1 December 2021, at which point it will no longer be relevant whether an individual is vaccinated.

70% Double Dose 

The 70% double dose rules that will apply from 11 October 2021:

• Hospitality and retail venues can reopen – unvaccinated people will continue only be able to access critical retail.
• Employers must continue to allow people to work at home if possible.
• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues
• Regional travel is not allowed unless permitted under current requirements
• A booking cap of 20 people per booking has been introduced for hospitality venues

80% Double Dose 

It gets a little complicated here with different rules for the vaccinated and unvaccinated and rules altering again from 1 December 2021.

ACWA suggests members check the fact sheet to familiarise themselves with the detail.

It can be found here  https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-09/FACT%20SHEET.pdf

We further encourage car wash operators to look specifically at:

• Work from home conditions
• Mask regulations
• Density limits

Australian Capital Territory 

The ACT’s “Pathway Forward” was also released yesterday.

The announcement by the Chief Minister outlined the Territory’s path out of COVID restrictions. He said that “subject to the public health risk remaining relatively stable in the next two weeks, the ACT’s lockdown will end at 11:59 pm on Thursday 14 October, triggering a transition to medium level public health measure”.

Further relaxation of conditions will take place on 29 October, which will allow for increased density limits, the reopening of retail and the restart of ticketed events.

Information relating to businesses is not fully detailed, and members are encouraged to look at the limited detail available on the Chief Minister’s press release https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/barr/2021/act-pathway-forward

Neil Fox, President

Australian Car Wash Association

Thanks to ACWA Director Andrew Triant for securing the following media coverage for Victorian car wash operators.

Members should also be aware that for many weeks ACWA has been calling on the Chief Health Officer (and several other Government Ministers and Departments) to alter the Authorised Worker and Provider lists to, at a minimum, allow the operation of Automatic Car Washes.

Yesterday, ACWA received positive advice from the Office of the Chief Health Officer that the application is being considered in line with future changes.

We have received several questions about changes recently announced by the Victorian Premier.  Unfortunately, there will be no changes for any businesses in metropolitan Melbourne.

We will continue to fight for change.

Victoria’s COVID Roadmap / City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire enter a 7-day Lockdown

Victorian COVID Roadmap Plan

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday released Victoria’s Roadmap for easing COVID restrictions.

Victoria’s 4-Phase Roadmap roll-out plan is based on the level of vaccinations of eligible people 16 years old and over.  The phases are listed below.  Please note the dates are indicative, and the community vaccination level triggers the change:

• Phase A – 80% single vaccination dose – 26 September 2021
• Phase B – 70% double vaccination dose – 26 October 2021
• Phase C – 80% double vaccination dose – 5 November 2021
• Phase D – 80% double vaccination dose (12+ years old) – 19 November 2021

As has become the norm for Government COVID communications, things are neither simple nor straightforward. The Premier’s detailed statement and explanatory attachments and plans can be found here https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/victorias-roadmap-delivering-national-plan .

Significantly, Mr Andrews has not yet proposed any immediate changes to the Victorian Authorised Providers list.  Indeed under the Government’s plan, Victoria’s beleaguered businesses appear to get no relief until 26 October 2021, when the state is predicted to achieve 70% double dose vaccination.

Further Regional Lockdowns

Yesterday, Mr Andrews also announced the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, and Mitchell Shire entered a 7-day lockdown from 11:59 pm last night (19 September).  Rules and restrictions for these regions are similar to the metro area and are explained in detail in the Premier’s press release here  https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/seven-day-lockdown-geelong-surf-coast-mitchell-shire

What is ACWA Doing, and How Can Members Help?

Members should be aware that ACWA has not and will not give up the fight for common sense, and we continue to advocate for car washing to be included explicitly as an Authorised Provider.  The current list of Approved Providers can be found here https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/authorised-provider-and-authorised-worker-list

To this end, we have two submissions before the Department of Health Panel for consideration.  One of our submissions focuses specifically on getting our completely COVID safe automatic car washes authorised.  We believe that this submission has the support of several Government sectors.

ACWA asks for members to support our work by lobbying their local members, particularly those whose local members represent the Labour Party.  If you wish to be part of the solution, please let ACWA know, and we will provide dot points to help with your submission contact@acwa.net.au

In further news, ACWA Director Andrew Triant (Wash World) has taken a lead role in tackling media coverage of the unnecessary closure of car washing’s COVID safe businesses.  Keep your eyes on the Herald Sun and the Channel 9 News in the days ahead.  We are calling on passionate ACWA operators who have closed their sites to be involved on air onsite in Cheltenham this week (exact date and time to be confirmed) – please email your interest in attending and being involved to contact@acwa.net.au.

ACWA Members COVID Update for Victoria and New South Wales

New South Wales

The NSW government has announced changes to the local government areas (LGAs) in lockdown.

Effective from 1 PM today (Thursday 16 September 2021), 12 LGAs will exit lockdown.  These include: Bega Valley, Blayney, Bogan, Cabonne, Dungog, Forbes, Muswellbrook, Narrabri, Parkes, Singleton, Snowy Monaro and Upper Hunter Shire. Rules applying to these areas can be located here https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules

However, Albury and Lismore will go back into lockdown for at least a week from 6 PM tonight (Thursday, 16 September 2021). Business conditions are the same as those applied during the last lockdown; however, there are greater exercise freedoms for fully fascinated adults.  For further information, see the press release here  https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/changes-to-stay-at-home-orders-for-regional-nsw-local-government-areas

Victoria

With effect from 11.59 PM last night (15 September 2021), the Greater Shepparton left lockdown is now subject to Victoria’s regional COVID regulations, which can be located here https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19

ACWA also advised yesterday that the Greater City of Ballarat has re-entered lockdown.  Restrictions for Ballarat are the same as those for metropolitan Melbourne except for the curfew.  DHHS regulations can be found here https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19

At today’s media announcement, the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also announced some slight easing of restrictions in Victoria from tomorrow, Friday, 17 September.

Most of the business changes are relevant to the construction and building industries. However, there are some additional personal freedoms, including meeting with others outdoors under certain conditions.  Details of Mr Andrew’s announcement can be found here https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-freedoms-when-70-cent-first-dose-target-reached

Ballarat Enters Seven Day Lockdown – Shepparton Restrictions Lifted

In today’s press conference Daniel Andrews, the Premier of Victoria announced that Ballarat would go into a seven-day lockdown from 11.59 pm tonight until 11.59 pm on Wednesday 22 September 2021.

Ballarat will be subjected to the same rules as Melbourne; however, there will be no curfew in place.

At the same time, the government has announced the lockdown in Shepparton will be lifted from tonight after three days of no new cases in the town.

Unfortunately, the press release and information are not yet available online. The press release will be available to the public here when released https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/

Car Wash Sites Ordered to Close – Fines Imposed

ACWA takes this opportunity to advise its members based in the Melbourne metropolitan area that Department of Health Compliance and Enforcement Officers attended several car wash sites last weekend and ordered them to close.

Members should also be aware that in the last two weeks, there have been car wash operators who have been issued infringement notices of $10,904.

For information on fines and compliance, please check the website  https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/fines-enforcement-and-reporting. Penalties of $10,904 may be issued to businesses for:

• refusing or failing to comply with the emergency directions
• refusing or failing to comply with a public health risk power direction
• refusing or failing to comply with the Public Health Directions to provide information.

A second offence can result in court action and a fine of $109,044.

COVID-19 UPDATE NEW SOUTH WALES

Dear ACWA Members, Congratulations to our member friends in NSW who appear to be the first of the east coast COVID impacted states with a staged Government pathway out of lockdown.

Today’s Announcement in NSW

Today NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that with effect from 12.01 AM on Saturday 11 September 2021, the stay at home order would be lifted for some, but not all, NSW regional LGAs. The Premer also announced a Roadmap for reopening the rest of the state.

The Regional LGAs that will remain in lockdown include:

Bathurst Bega Blayney Bogan Bourke Brewarrina Broken Hill Cabonne Central Coast Central Darling

Cessnock Dubbo Dungog Eurobodalla Forbes Gilgandra Goulburn Mulwarre Kiama Lake Macquarie Lithgow

Maitland Mid-Coast Mid-Western Muswellbrook Narrabri Narromine Newcastle Orange Parkes Port Stephens

Queanbeyan-Palerang Shellharbour Shoalhaven Singleton Snowy Monaro Upper Hunter Walgett Wingecarribee

 For the regional areas set to come out of lockdown, the following rules apply:

• Masks will remain mandatory for all public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports. Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.
• Carpooling will be permitted.
• Hospitality venues can reopen with one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside;
• Retail stores can reopen with one person per 4sqm
• Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm and a maximum of five clients

The complete list of changes for regions exiting lockdown can be found here https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/lockdown-lifted-parts-of-regional-nsw?_cldee=c2NvdHRAcHJvd2FzaC5jb20uYXU%3d&recipientid=contact-7a039c0287e8e81180e6000d3ae0def9-1b07fa3a714c44d79ebf1ffed68d3b32&esid=4b76c1b4-2111-ec11-b6e6-002248113192

The NSW Roadmap to Freedom

The Roadmap establishes a range of things that will apply the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double dose vaccination point. Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the advantages allowed under the reopening NSW Roadmap. A copy of the Premier’s press release and details on the Roadmap can be found here:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/roadmap-to-freedom-unveiled-for-fully-vaccinated?_cldee=c2NvdHRAcHJvd2FzaC5jb20uYXU%3d&recipientid=contact-7a039c0287e8e81180e6000d3ae0def9-1b07fa3a714c44d79ebf1ffed68d3b32&esid=4b76c1b4-2111-ec11-b6e6-002248113192

Travel Registration / Permit

Earlier this week the NSW Government announced the 14-day travel permits for workers would be automatically extended to 30 September 2021.  If workers’ travel details have not changed, they may continue to use their existing COVID-19 travel registration. If a worker’s reason for travel or other travel details changes, they will need to register again.

Applications for Business Hardship Scheme Close Tomorrow Midnight

Hi Victorian Members

Members are reminded that if they have not received any funding from a Victorian Government COVID Grants Scheme, they may be entitled to assistance under the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund.

The COVID Hardship Fund provides $20,000 grants for eligible small and medium businesses.  The Small Business COVID Hardship Fund has no ANZSIC requirements.

To qualify, your business must have experienced a decrease in turnover of at least 70% for a minimum consecutive two-week period comparable to a benchmark period in 2019.  Details can be found here  https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/small-business-covid-hardship-fund

Applications will close at 11:59 pm on Friday, 10 September 2021.

Hi Regional Victorian Members

The Premier of Victoria today announced that COVID lockdown restrictions would be lifted across regional Victoria except for the Greater Shepparton. The new arrangements come into effect at 11.59 PM TOMORROW, THURSDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2021.

There will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home – other than restrictions on entry to metropolitan Melbourne. Members are also advised that the Authorised Worker List will no longer apply in the regions, meaning businesses and venues can reopen with capacity and density limits.

Please be sure your QR code signage is operational. Please also be aware of the continued need for cleaning, signage and record-keeping requirements.

A copy of the Premier’s media Statement and updated regulations can be found here https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-restrictions-lift-regional-victoria-0

Congratulations to our regional Victorian members.