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.
