Dear ACWA Members
Over what has become a very long COVID journey, ACWA has done its best to keep members up to date with developments on a state-by-state basis. Most often, where changes relate to a specific State or Territory, we have restricted our communications to members in that area.
Today and over the weekend, there have been significant and complicated changes to COVID restrictions, particularly in NSW and Victoria.
ACWA is currently bringing details specific to each state together. However, this will take some time, as the new regulations are complex and are often not detailed on Government websites. ACWA will gather the information and provide a detailed update as soon as we can. Please note for the states most impacted, here is a brief summary;
New South Wales
From 5 pm last Saturday, the whole of New South Wales is under stay at home restrictions.
The NSW Public Health Order (PHO) is complex and contained in a 38-page document which can be seen here https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/file/Public%20Health%20%28COVID-19%20Temporary%20Movement%20and%20Gathering%20Restrictions%29%20Order%202021_210814_5pm.pdf.
Under the current PHO, there appear to be minimal opportunities for car wash operators other than those at service stations to be open. We will continue to review the details and advise in due course. In the interim, be aware there are significant penalties for operating in contravention of regulations. The penalties can be found at the bottom of this webpage https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/public-health-orders.aspx#penalties.
Victoria
The Premier is still doing his media conference. His statement from this morning can be found here https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/extended-melbourne-lockdown-keep-victorians-safe-0. The following summarises today’s news conference.
- The lockdown for Melbourne has been extended for two weeks from this Thursday and now concludes September 2 2021.
- From midnight tomorrow, there will be the reintroduction of a complete Melbourne curfew. It will run from 9 pm to 5 am.
- Worker permits have been reintroduced. Authorised workers will be required to carry permits when working and travelling for work. The permits apply from 11:59 pm on Tuesday, August 17 and will be available on the coronavirus website before these directions come into effect.
- The Premier and Police Commission have announced that fewer cautions will be issued favouring a more significant number of fines for those in contravention of regulations.
Northern Territory
Parts of the Northern Territory will go into a snap lockdown from noon (ACST) today. Lockdown information can be found on the NT Government COVID-19 pages https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/covid-19-lockdown-restrictions-in-place
The lockdown applies to the following locations:
- City of Darwin
- City of Palmerston
- Litchfield Council
- Wagait Shire
- Belyuen Shire
- Dundee
- Bynoe
- Charlotte
- Cox Peninsula
- Municipality of Katherine, including Tindal
Interim essential worker information can be found here https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/business-and-work/essential-workers
Australian Capital Territory
The lockdown in the Australian Capital Territory will be extended by two weeks and will now run until at least September 2 2021.
Other business restrictions and conditions do not appear to have changed and can be located on the ACT government website https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/act-status-and-response/lockdown.
Queensland
Queensland is not under lockdown at this time. However, border controls have been strengthened, which will impact businesses and workers in and around the QLD NSW border.
