News

Coronavirus: Government Stage 4 advice

17 August 2020

In response to member feedback, VACC has published an official communication received from the COVID-19 Team in the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. The communication (in the form of an email) was sent after the Chamber sought clarification on government advice in regards to Permitted Premises during Stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne.

The below communication has not been published on the Department website, however, VACC has made the decision to make it public in order to reassure members that all Chamber advice during this critical time is in line with government guidelines and in the best interest of member businesses. 

Ultimately, members will need to use their professional experience to assess whether they should conduct work during Stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne. However, VACC always aims to provide the best guidance possible in order to safeguard members from penalties. A number of Melbourne-based workshops have been inspected already, and the Chamber is pleased to confirm that no member businesses have been fined.

See Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions communication below:

As per the DHHS website From 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August, workplaces in Melbourne must be closed unless:

We can confirm that only services covering essential and critical 'Vehicle repair, servicing and maintenance' are permitted to open for on-site work with a COVID Safe Plan in place. This does not include routine servicing, however, would include urgent recalls.

In regard to collection of cars, retailers are able to work onsite only for the purposes of fulfilling existing and online orders. For further guidance for Transport, Postal and Warehousing sector business under Melbourne's Stage 4 restrictions including how to create a COVID Safe Plan, see Business Victoria’s website.

From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August, employers that require their staff to attend a work site must issue a worker permit to their employees – this is the employer’s responsibility.

Permitted workplaces have until 11:59pm on Friday 7 August to implement their COVID Safe Plan. Industries moving to restricted operations have until 11:59pm on Friday 7 August to implement these restrictions – but any measures that can be introduced sooner should be.

Employers can issue a worker permit to their employee if:

  • the organisation is on the list of permitted activities
  • the employee is working in an approved category for on-site work, and
  • the employee cannot work from home.

In rare circumstances an employee does not need a worker permit.

This includes:

  • if an employee is at risk at home, such as at risk of family violence
  • law enforcement, emergency services workers or healthcare workers who carry employer-issued photographic identification, which clearly identifies the employer.

An employee must not use a worker permit, even if they have been issued one, if:

  • they test positive to coronavirus (COVID-19) and are required to self-isolate
  • they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive.

The Victorian Government will continue to take a staged and measured approach to easing restrictions to ensure that we can adapt and respond quickly to emerging issues and mitigate coronavirus (COVID-19) risk. Any easing of restrictions will be subject to the advice of the Chief Health Officer and will be informed by a range of evidence and intelligence about coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria and subject to careful monitoring of epidemiology and public health readiness at the point that directions are issued.

We hope that this information has been helpful. The Victorian Government is committed to continuing to support businesses through this crisis.

COVID-19 Team
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions

djpr.vic.gov.au


 

Related links
Victorian State Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions Victoria
Department of Health and Human Services: Business and industry stage 4 restrictions
Department of Health and Human Services: Stage 4 Restrictions (permitted premises table)

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