COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY 5 AUGUST 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.
- Allows designated retail outlets to trade in the departure areas of international terminals and international areas of joint domestic/international terminals at Australian international airports, provided the operator implements and maintains measures to ensure social distancing and minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from international transit passengers.
- Amends an existing exemption from certain provisions of Part 61 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 to accommodate to continuing severe impacts from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Reduces the rate of duty on prescribed medical products or hygiene products required in the immediate response to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
- Updates LIN 20/099 to specify that a nil visa application charge amount is applicable to a Subclass 500 visa holder who held the visa on or after 1 February 2020 and are seeking to reapply for further Subclass 500 visa to complete their study, if they were unable to complete their course within their original visa validity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 6)
- Makes changes to the pharmaceutical benefits eligible to be provided as a Continued Dispensing supply.
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response - 2020 Measures No. 13) Determination 2020
- Extends qualification for income support payments and linked concessions, where a recipient would have otherwise ceased to qualify due to a change in their or their partner’s employment income
Public Health (COVID-19 Lord Howe Island) Order (No 3) 2020
- Restricts access to and from Lord Howe Island to deal with the possible health risk of COVID-19 and its possible consequences.
- Requires gymnasiums to register with the NSW Government as COVID-19 Safe business and to have COVID-19 Safety Hygiene Marshals, and allows persons to register their contact details with Services NSW by electronic means instead of providing their contact details when entering certain premises.
Local Government (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020
- Protects the health, safety and welfare of persons affected by the COVID-19 emergency and facilitates the continuance of public administration disrupted by the COVID-19 emergency in relation to the investigation of councillor conduct and whether an offence has been committed against a ‘conduct provision’ of the Local Government Act 2009.
- Establishes a scheme of financial assistance for taxi and limousine operators and licence holders and authorised booking entities in the Rural and Regional Adjustment Regulation 2011 as an approved assistance scheme.
COVID-19 Emergency Response (Section 14) (No 3) Variation Regulations 2020
- Postpones the expiry of the Fire and Emergency Services Regulations 2005 until 1 March 2021.
Direction Under Section 16 (Residential Aged Care Facilities - No. 9)
- Identified areas within Victoria which have a higher prevalence of, or risk of exposure to, COVID-19 and which are subject to specific directions which are reasonably necessary to protect public health.
Care Facilities Directions (No 9)
- Restricts access to care facilities to limit the spread of COVID-19 within a particularly vulnerable population.
Declaration Pursuant to Section 126(1) of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
- Declares COVID-19 to be a notifiable condition in relation to notification by pathology services.
Diagnosed Persons and Close Contacts Directions (No 8)
- Requires persons diagnosed with COVID-19 to self-isolate, and persons living or in close contact with a diagnosed person to self-quarantine.
Public Health Emergency Order under Section 22G (PHEO #7)
- Extends the public health emergency order under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 published in the Government Gazette on 10 June 2020 to enable pharmacists to continue to supply a medicine in Victoria consistent with a Therapeutic Goods Administration Serious Shortage Substitution Notice (SSSN).
Premier’s Declaration of a State of Disaster
- Declares that a state of disaster exists for the whole of Victoria until 6:00 PM on 2 September 2020.
Restricted Activity Directions (No 16)
- Restricts the operation of certain business and undertakings in Victoria other than in restricted areas to limit the spread of COVID-19, and imposes an obligation on employers to ensure employees wear face coverings.
Restricted Activity Directions (Restricted Areas) (No 5)
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings in the restricted area to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Stay at Home Directions (Restricted Areas) (No 7)
- Requires persons who ordinarily reside in the restricted area to limit their interactions with others by restricting circumstances in which they may leave the residence and the restricted area, restricting gatherings, and 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.
Electoral Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2020
- Supports the anticipated increase in the number of persons voting at this year’s general election as special voters due to the effects of COVID-19, and makes the process easier for these voters.
- Suspends the ability of certain persons to apply for a temporary entry visa, and prescribes fees for certain notifications and requests which are generally provided for in COVID-19 immigration instructions, among other things.
FROM THE REGULATORS
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator:
Safe Work Australia:
Therapeutic Goods Administration:
Aboriginal Affairs:
NSW Government:
- Health Advice Update on Masks
- NSW-Victoria Border Restrictions - Updated 3 August 2020
- What You Can and Can't Do Under the Rules - Updated 3 August 2020
SafeWork NSW:
Maritime Safety Queensland:
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland:
Return to Work SA:
Dedicated COVID-19 Webpage:
Department of Health and Human Services:
Earth Resources:
Victorian Government:
- Caring for Families Vital in Victorian Aged Care Response
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Restrictions Victoria - Updated 3 August 2020
- Research Boost to Better Understand and Treat Coronavirus
- Statement from the Premier
- Statement on Changes to Melbourne’s Restrictions
- Statement on Changes to Regional Restrictions
- Supporting Aboriginal Communities Through Coronavirus
- Victoria’s Health System Rising to the Pandemic Challenge
WorkSafe Victoria:
WA Government:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus - Updated 31 July 2020
- New Technologies Focus of Review of Skills, Training and Workforce Development
- Portable Isolation Rooms to Further Protect Country Residents
- Rules Streamlined to Boost COVID-19 Economic Recovery
- WA Leading Nation in the Recovery of Jobs During COVID-19
- WA Recovery - Updated 2 August 2020
- WA Youth to Benefit from COVID-19 Recovery Plan Projects
- $15 Million COVID-Recovery Package for WA’s Emergency Services
World Health Organisation:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 12 August 2020.
