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.
