Overnight Developments in Government Application of Commercial Car Washing Rules
It will come as no surprise to anyone living in Melbourne that consistent changes to COVID-19 rules and regulations have created confusion. The confusion not only applies to the general public and businesses but also a befuddled Government Departments and Public Servants.
ACWA always endeavours to provide members with the very latest information but, to put it bluntly, Government advice is completely shambolic. Including the following in the last 24 hours alone:
- Phone calls from ACWA to the Business Victoria hotline, receiving advice that ALL car wash sites must be closed.
- An email from a local member to an operator advising the rules were being changed to allow his site to open immediately. The advice was later rescinded.
- Emails to members from Business Victoria telling them they could not open.
- Advice that the “effective date” entered on the Government’s official permitted workplace documentation was an administration error (on the document it states 20 September when it should have been 27 September)
Latest Developments
ACWA advises members that after 4 pm yesterday, the operators of two Melbourne based automatic car wash sites (not connected to fuel retailers), were provided with permission to operate via the Business Victoria and DHHS business hotlines. Each has a recorded “case/transaction number”.
Case 1
The following advice was provided to ACWA by an ACWA member, and we thank him for allowing us to share the information with you all:
- At approx. 5.45 pm yesterday, the member received a Transaction ID Number from DHHS to open his automatic car wash. The transaction number is 202717 and Luna was the operator spoken to.
- The member advises he asked several times if the operator was sure about the advice, and each time he was told he could open.
- The following conditions were applied:
- Must have a COVID Safe Plan
- Must install appropriate signage including that the wash was for essential services vehicles only
- No other services offered at the site can be used
- The member was reminded that there are only four reasons people can leave home. There was no surety people (or the carwash) would not be fined.
Case 2
The following advice was provided to ACWA by an ACWA member. At this time the member would prefer details other than those outlined below remain confidential.
- At approximately 4 pm yesterday, the member received a Transaction ID Number from Business Victoria allowing him to open his automated tunnel wash.
- The member advises he sought clarification several times from the operator to ensure the operator was certain of the advice being provided. Each time the member was assured it was correct.
- The following condition was applied
- The member must provide a “wash and go service”, with no customers staying on site. Customers must leave immediately after their wash.
It is not ACWA’s intention to seek further clarification as the advice being provided by Government authorities is clearly inconsistent and appears somewhat dependent upon who and when you speak to someone.
The information above is provided to allow members to steer their own course. Some may wish to piggyback off the Case 1 Transaction ID, and others may want to seek their own by calling the Business Victoria Hotline (Local call) on 13 22 15 or the DHHS Hotline on 1800 675 398
Members wishing to speak to the member involved with Case 1 outlined above should contact ACWA.
