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ACWA President Neil Fox recently provided ICA members his perspectives on the Australian car wash market. Check out the video on Facebook.  Go to the Australian Car Wash Association – Members Group.

On 5 August 2020 thee Victorian Government released a new and upgraded list of ‘Permitted Work Premises’ that includes a number of industry sectors that were not previously allowed to open.

This differs from the previous Stage 4 Industry List, issued earlier in the same week and some sectors that were previously listed as closed or restricted, are now included as ‘Permitted Work Premises’.

This List forms part of the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s directive on Stage 4 Business Restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne. Mitchell Shire remains at Stage 3 restrictions with the rest of Victoria.

Permitted Work Premises for the purposes of the RestrictedActivityDirections (Restricted Areas) (No 6) 1.0-05082020

Victorian Car Wash Operators are reminded that if they or any of their employees are attending a car wash site in the Melbourne metropolitan area,  they must carry a Worker Permit and photo ID or risk significant penalty.

Worker Permits can be found here https://www.vic.gov.au/worker-permit-scheme

Some good news at this time is always welcome.

We are sure many members will be well aware of grants available via the Victorian State Government’s Business Support Fund.  However, for those not familiar with the Scheme, we draw your attention to the expansion of the Program under Stage 4 Restrictions.  Under conditions of the scheme, businesses in regional Victoria can now apply for a $5,000 grant while those in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire can apply for up to $10,000.

ACWA strongly encourages all members suffering significant losses or the need to close as a result of the Victorian COVID-19 Stage 4 Restrictions, check out details of the Business Support Fund – Expansion Program.  Full details are available here https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-support-package/business-support-fund

Importantly, operators who have already received a Business Support Grant or have applied for one, will not need to re-apply.  Qualifying applicants will automatically receive this additional allocation.

Applications for the program have been extended until 14 September 2020.

After many attempts to gain clarification on Member’s enquiries over the past few days and an excruciatingly long wait on the Corona Virus Hotline , the following information has been verified by the DHHS.  Members are protected if abiding by the following guidelines as we have a Transaction ID for the telephone conversation should it be needed.

Updated Changes to Permitted Work Premises

The Victorian Government has released a new and upgraded list of ‘Permitted Work Premises’ that includes several industry sectors that were not previously allowed to open. This differs from the previous Stage 4 Industry List, issued earlier this week but does not materially change normal business operations for car washes.

Some sectors previously listed as closed or restricted, are now included as ‘Permitted Work Premises’. The new list is available on the DHHS website https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/business-industry-stage-4-restrictions-covid-19?_cldee=c2NvdHRAcHJvd2FzaC5jb20uYXU%3d&recipientid=contact-7a039c0287e8e81180e6000d3ae0def9-4cf1478af6c1433f823ea2389b721714&esid=9c60ba1c-9fd7-ea11-a813-000d3a6aacaf

Changes Relevant to Ongoing Maintenance and Security at Car Wash Sites

Under yesterday’s changes, there were concessions announced concerning essential maintenance for closed businesses. It has been confirmed by the DHHS that car wash operators can attend their sites to decommission plant and equipment, emergencies, maintenance and ongoing security of your car wash site. The DHHS has advised the following instruction adequately covers those needing to attend their site for these purposes:

Ancillary and support businesses are able to open on-site to ensure the necessary production, supply, manufacture, repair, maintenance, cleaning, security, wholesale, distribution, transportation or sale of equipment, goods or services required for the operations of a Permitted Work Premises, or for Closed Work Premises where there are safety or environmental obligations. The business cannot operate on-site for any other purpose.

If you, or any staff member is attending a site for the above purposes, they must have a Permitted Worker Permit Document. A copy of the document is attached.

The DHHS has advised that in the Permitted industry/activity box the following wording should be added “Other Services Sector- Essential maintenance for upkeep, security and safety”.

The DHHS has further advised that the following conditions are relevant and apply to ALL businesses regardless of status:

• Permitted Worker Permit (as above)
• COVID Safe Plan Directions can be found here – https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/covid-safe-business/covid-safe-plan.

Your Free ACWA COVID Safe Plan 

Our WHS partners at Eastman Lynch have provided a generic COVID-19 Safe Plan for Melbourne car wash operators to use if attending their sites during Stage 4 Restrictions.

The document has been prepared at “warp speed” to have it ready in time.  There may need to be alterations made to the plan over the coming days but it will at least check a box and hopefully take some pressure off you at this excruciatingly difficult time.

ACWA has distributed a generic COVID-19 Safe Plan for closed car washes. We’ve tried to anticipate all situations and there may be some modification required for specific circumstances.

Thanks to Danny and the Eastman Lynch Team.

The template is available by logging into the Members Only section of the website.

In a highly anticipated statement, the Federal Government yesterday announced changes to the JobKeeper scheme which will extend past September and through to March 2021, but at a stepped-down rate. In summary, the key details are listed in the table below:

	Until 27 September	From 28 September to 3 January 2021	From 4 January to 28 March
JobKeeper (Over 20 Hours a Week)	$1,500/fortnight	$1,200/fortnight	$1,000/fortnight
JobKeeper (Less Than 20 Hours a Week)	$1,500/fortnight	$750/fortnight	$650/fortnight
JobSeeker Coronavirus Supplement	$550/fortnight	$250/fortnight until end of 2020	Under Review
JobSeeker Totals	$1,115	$1,115 ($815 + $300 of own income)	Under Review

Further information for members can be found in the Members Only Area of the ACWA Website https://acwa.net.au/members/  in the form of an excellent and easy to read summary of the changes to the scheme.  Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand have produced this document, and we recommend it as a great place to start to understand JobKeeper 2.0 better.

ACWA is considering running another interactive ZOOM information session for members on JobKeeper 2.0.  The session would be headed by an expert panel to explain the intricacies of the scheme and answer your questions.  We would love to receive member feedback on the value of such a session.

Police officers attended a Melbourne metropolitan site on Saturday and asked customers to leave or risk fines.

Last Saturday two police officers attended a popular Melbourne car wash site. They asked customers to leave the car wash site or risk receiving a $1652 infringement notice under Victoria’s Stay at home regulations. This is the third time ACWA is aware of over the COVID-19 journey, customers at car wash sites have been targeted for police attention.

On behalf of the operator involved and the car wash industry at large, ACWA made contact with the local police station and raised the issue with local members and State Government Ministers. ACWA remains of the view that Victorian car washes can continue to operate during the State’s Stage 3 Restrictions.

We believe the unwarranted attention comes about via overzealous actions of individual police officers. We are seeking assistance from the State Government in ensuring the situation does not occur again.

We ask members to continue to keep ACWA informed if their site is subjected to such visits by police.

Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire Changes to Restrictions – Compulsory Wearing of Masks from11.59pm on Wednesday 22 July 2020

With steadily growing COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the State Government, via the Chief Medical Officer, has introduced changes to restrictions. These changes come into effect from 11.59 pm on Wednesday 22 July 2020.

There have been several additional restrictions announced; however, the most significant is that people 12 years and older must wear a face covering when they leave home. Several exemptions to this regulation apply, and full details can be found on the Victorian DHHS site here https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/updates/coronavirus-covid-19/updated-restrictions-1159pm-wednesday-22-july-2020.

For car wash operators, this regulation will require you to ensure all staff are wearing a face covering (mask) when at work. Several State Government articles have been produced on the matter of face coverings, and details can be found here  https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/updates/coronavirus-covid-19/face-coverings-mandatory-melbourne-and-mitchell-shire#:~:text=To%20give%20people%20time%20to,to%20wear%20a%20face%20covering.

One of the best starting points for all Victorian COVID-19 information is the State Government’s site https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

 

The Victorian Government announced the reinstatement of Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire from 11:59 on 8 July 2020 to help slow the spread of coronavirus. These restrictions will be in place for six weeks and will then be reviewed by the Chief Health Officer. The return to Stay at Home restrictions means businesses within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, gyms other businesses are either restricted or can no longer operate.

Businesses within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire affected by the return to Stay at Home restrictions may be eligible for a one-off, $5,000 grant under the Business Support Fund – Expansion Program. In short, if your car wash is located in one of the 31 metropolitan restricted locations and you are a participant in the Federal Government’s JobKeeper Payment Scheme, you may be entitled to apply for the grant.

Full eligibility details are available by logging the members’ area of the ACWA website https://acwa.net.au/members/ and head to the COVID-10 Members Resources in the left-hand navigation. Applications for the Expansion Program close on 19 August 2020.

 

From 11.59 pm on Wednesday 1 July, there will be changes in restrictions in several postcode locations in the Melbourne Metropolitan area.

What Does This Mean for Car Washing?

Without getting too political, you would think that with three months CODID-19 practice Governments would have refined their communications so they can be clearly understood. In our view businesses need to know two things:

• Can my business stay open?
• Can the community purchase my product?

The devil is in the detail, and there will be some significant confusion in the community. However, ACWA’s assessment and research of the rules and regulations indicates the answer to these essential questions is a resounding YES!   

Fundamentally, all business, including those providing services, are considered essential unless they have been deemed to be non-essential. The list of non-essential businesses includes pubs and restaurants, for example; however, car washing is not contained in the list. Car washing is, therefore, considered an essential service and can continue to operate and sell its product to customers.

As has occurred in the past, those enforcing the laws may not necessarily interpret them correctly. Members are encouraged to contact ACWA if they believe enforcement officers are unfairly targeting their site.

Continued Vigilance Is Required

If car washing is to continue to remain an essential service, each operator must adhere to the strictest possible application of social distancing and hygiene requirements. ACWA has a range of information on this subject in the COVID Resource Centre on the ACWA Website https://acwa.net.au/covid-19-update-page/

To assist operators with their obligations to staff and community, ACWA’s IR and WHS partners (ESSA and Eastman Lynch respectively) have prepared comprehensive guides for the car wash industry. These documents can be found in the Member’s section of the ACWA Website.

Safety signage is essential, and we remind ALL wash operators that ACWA’s range of Community Safety Posters are available EXCLUSIVE and FREE for ACWA Members.

 

The Rundown on Victoria’s Latest Restriction Details

In summary, the changes are as follows:

State-wide – New Restrictions Applying Across Victoria 

• Shopping centres are required to apply the four square metre rule to limit the number of shoppers.
• Outdoor markets are required to apply the four square metre rule to limit the number of shoppers.
• Restricted postcode areas can be visited for four reasons: shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, exercise, and study or work.
• Those driving through restricted zones may not stop unless it is for one of the four reasons above.

Impacted Postcode Areas Will be Under Stage 3 Stay at Home Restrictions.

• Full details of Stage 3 Stay at Home Restrictions can be found here  https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19
• Residents of the restricted locations are required to stay at home.
• Residents may leave home for reasons:

• • Shopping for food or other essential items
  • To provide caregiving, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
  • For exercise (outdoor exercise only, with only one other person or members of your household)
  • Work or study, if you cannot work or study from home
• Additional Community Restrictions:
  • Visitors to homes are only allowed for caregiving, compassionate reasons or receiving services.
  • Residents may not visit friends and family who live in another household, except for caregiving or compassionate purposes or providing services.
  • Residents may not travel except for one of the four reasons outlined above.
  • Religious ceremonies and private worship can only occur online
  • Restrictions are applied to the number of people who can attend weddings and funerals
  • Indoor sports centres including gyms, training facilities and pools will be closed
  • Community sport training and competition cannot occur within a restricted postcode. If you live in an impacted area, you cannot participate in community sport elsewhere
  • galleries, museums, historic sites, zoos, outdoor amusement parks and arcades, play centres, indoor and drive-in cinemas, concert venues, theatres, auditoriums, arenas, stadiums, casinos and gaming will be closed
  • outdoor sport facilities will be closed.
  • Primary and secondary school students can continue to attend school for face-to-face learning when it resumes after school holidays.
  • If you live in one of the restricted postcodes and are currently on holiday, you can continue your holiday. From 11:59 pm, 1 July you will not be able to leave these areas for a holiday.
• Additional Business Restrictions
• Restaurants and cafes can open to serve takeaway and home delivery only
• Pubs, bars, clubs, nightclubs will be closed. They can offer take away food and alcohol
• Beauty and personal care services will be closed, apart from hairdressers and barbers
• Libraries and community venues will be closed, except for essential public support services such as food banks
• Personal training outdoors can occur but with a limit of two participants plus the instructor
• Holiday accommodation and camping will be closed except for those who reside there for emergency accommodation or work purposes

Impacted Postcode areas

• Full details of impacted postcode areas can be found here https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/new-restrictions-melbournes-hot-zones-covid-19.