COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY 22 JULY 2020
Please find below a selection of recent legislation changes relating to COVID-19 and communications for workplaces from key safety and environmental regulators in Australia and New Zealand.
This update is intended to be provided on a weekly basis.
LEGISLATION CHANGES
Please note: the legislation in this update was current at time of release. Legislation around COVID-19 is being frequently updated and revoked. The URLs provided may no longer be maintained by the relevant legislative website, after the release date.
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Amendment Rules (No. 6) 2020
- Provides a mechanism to allow an Australian government agency or local governing body to confirm that notices have been provided by the Commissioner of Taxation to entities concerning their election to participate in the JobKeeper scheme.
- Modifies the current requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) that relevant providers must undertake to meet the fourth of the education and training standards under section 921B of the Corporations Act 2001, to provide relief to providers whose ability to complete the CPD requirements has been impacted by COVID-19.
Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery (Overcatch and Undercatch) Determination No. 2 of 2020
- Determines the amounts and percentages for undercatch and overcatch for the 2020 fishing season commencing on 1 December 2019 and ending on 30 November 2020.
Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Hotspots) Emergency Direction 2020 (No 5)
- Requires affected persons to quarantine following travel to and from COVID-19 hotspots.
- Restricts non-essential gatherings and the operation of non-essential business and undertakings to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Amendment Order 2020
- Clarifies the application and operation of the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order 2020.
Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 4)
- Amendment Order 2020 Amends the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 4) 2020 to provide for greater restrictions on gatherings in pubs.
- Inserts 'Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)' and 'Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2)' as a notifiable conditions and controlled notifiable conditions under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011.
Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania
- Directs persons arriving in Tasmania to answer certain questions, self-isolate at certain accommodation and comply with lawful directions of an authorised officer.
Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania (General)
- Requires certain persons who arrive in Tasmania after 8 July 2020 to answer certain questions, self-isolate at certain accommodation and comply with lawful directions of an authorised officer.
Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania (Victoria)
- Directs that affected persons may only enter Tasmania if they are a resident of Tasmania or a specified person, and requires affected persons who are not a resident of Tasmania or a specified person to leave Tasmania as soon as possible after arrival after 8 July 2020 if required by an authorised officer.
- Identified areas within Victoria which have a higher prevalence of, or risk of exposure to, COVID-19 and which are subject to specific directions.
Care Facilities Directions (No 7)
- Restricts access to care facilities to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Diagnosed Persons and Close Contacts Directions (No 6)
- Requires person diagnosed with COVID-19 to self-isolate, and persons living, or in close contact with, a diagnosed person to self-quarantine.
Extension of Declaration of a State of Emergency
- Extends the declaration of a state of emergency made on 16 March 2020 until 11:59 PM on 16 August 2020.
Hospital Visitor Directions (No 8)
- Prohibits non-essential visits to hospitals to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Restricted Activity Directions (No 13)
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertaking in Victoria other than in restricted areas to limit the spread of COVID-19, and imposes an obligation of certain facilities and accommodation providers to use reasonable endeavours to ascertain that the principal place of residence for customers is not in a restricted area.
Restricted Activity Directions (Restricted Areas) (No 2)
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings in the restricted areas to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Stay at Home Directions (Restricted Areas) (No 3)
- Requires persons who ordinarily reside in a restricted area to limit their interactions with others by restricting when they may leave the residence, and placing restrictions on gatherings including prohibiting private gatherings.
- Requires persons who ordinarily reside in Victoria, other than in the restricted area, to limit their interactions with others by placing restrictions on gatherings and the return to workplaces.
Extension of Declaration (No. 2) of Public Health State of Emergency
- Extends the public health state of emergency declared on 23 March 2020 for fourteen days.
FROM THE REGULATORS
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator:
Safe Work Australia:
Therapeutic Goods Administration:
NSW Government:
SafeWork NSW:
Business Queensland:
QLD Government:
Department of Energy and Mining: COVID-19:
Department of Health and Human Services:
- Face Coverings Mandatory for Melbourne and Mitchell Shire
- Face Masks
- Updated Restrictions - 11.59pm Wednesday 22 July 2020
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions:
Victorian Building Authority:
Employment NZ:
Ministry of Health:
NZ Government:
World Health Organisation:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 29 July 2020.
