COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021
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 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 frequently updated and revoked. The URLs provided may no longer be maintained by the relevant legislative website, after the release date.
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response - 2020 Measures No. 16) Determination 2020
- Extends the COVID-19 supplement period through to 31 March 2021, and extends certain temporary COVID-19 measures.
Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Extension of Coronavirus Support) Act 2020
- Amends the law relating to social security, veterans’ entitlements, and farm household support, among other things.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2020 Measures No. 3) Act 2020
- Amends the Boosting Cash Flow for Employers (Coronavirus Economic Response Package) Act 2020, among other things.
Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Hotspots) Emergency Direction 2021 (No 2)
- Requires certain residents of the ACT to complete a self-declaration form prior to returning to the ACT, and to quarantine after returning to the ACT, and prohibits certain persons from entering the ACT without an exemption.
Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order 2021
- Requires persons in Greater Sydney to wear fitted face coverings in particular circumstances.
Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Amendment Order 2021
- Extends the requirement to wear face coverings to all parts of a railway station or light rail station, exclude hospitality venues and kiosks from the requirement to wear face coverings in certain circumstances, and provides clarification regarding public transport services.
Public Health (COVID-19 Northern Beaches) Amendment Order 2021
- Amends the Public Health (COVID-19 Northern Beaches) Order 2020 to limit the application of that Order to the Northern area of the Northern Beaches local government area.
Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 7) Amendment Order 2021
- Amends the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 7) 2020 to close Greater Sydney nightclubs, restrict the number of persons at certain Greater Sydney premises, and exempt certain significant events from visitor restrictions, among other things.
Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order (No 5) Amendment Order 2021
- Requires a close contact of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to self-isolate for a longer period as directed by an authorised medical practitioner if the close contact does not comply with a request to be tested for COVID-19.
Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation (No 3) 2020
- Repeals and remakes, with amendments, the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation (No 2) 2020 to extend prohibitions and requirements in relation to the exercise of certain rights of lessors under retail leases during the COVID-19 pandemic period until the end of 28 March 2021.
Border Restrictions Direction (No. 21)
- Prohibits certain persons from entering Queensland except in certain circumstances, and requires certain persons to undergo testing, obtain a Queensland Border Declaration Pass, keep records of close contacts and to quarantine.
Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 26) (COVID-19) Direction
- Prohibits certain persons from entering South Australia except in certain circumstances, requires all overseas arrivals to remain in a med-hotel or other required place of quarantine, and requires certain persons to undergo testing, keep records of close contacts and wear a face mask.
Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 21) (COVID-19) Direction 2020
- Prohibits the entry of persons into residential aged care facilities except in certain circumstances, and requires such facilities to adopt a Workforce Management Plan and COVID-19 Infection Control Plan, among other things.
COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Taxi Operation) Order 2020
- Determines that Section 14 of the COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 2020 ceases to be in force on 1 June 2021.
Direction Under Section 16 (Arrival requirements for certain travellers into Tasmania - No. 3)
- Requires certain travellers who arrive in Tasmania to undergo certain clinical assessments or testing, and to wear a mask in certain circumstances.
Direction Under Section 16 (Management of premises - No. 10)
- Restricts the number of persons present at residential and other premises.
Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania
- Prohibits certain affected persons from entering Tasmania, requires certain authorised persons to isolate for 14 days upon entering Tasmania, and requires certain persons arriving in Tasmania to provide information, comply with a direction of an authorised officer if they are isolating in an accommodation facility, and remain in their room at the facility.
Payroll Tax (Pandemic) Order (No. 3) 2020
- Waives the payment of payroll tax, by certain employers, in respect of certain employees
Care Facilities Directions (No 19)
- Provides for restricted access to care facilities in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 within a particularly vulnerable population - came into force at 11:59 pm on 3 January 2021.
COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Amendment Regulations 2020
- Extends the operation of the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Regulations 2020.
Diagnosed Persons and Close Contacts Directions (No 15)
- Requires persons diagnosed with COVID-19 to self-isolate, and persons living or in close contact with a diagnosed person to self-quarantine - came into force at 11:59 pm on 3 January 2021.
Education and Training Reform Amendment (COVID-19 Emergency Measures Extension) Regulations 2020
- Extends the date prescribed for the revocation of Part 13 of the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017.
Extension of Declaration of a State of Emergency
- Extends the declaration of a state of emergency made on 16 March 2020 until 29 January 2021.
Hospital Visitor Directions (No 17)
- Prohibits certain visits to hospitals in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 - came into force at 11:59 pm on 3 January 2021.
New South Wales Border Crossing Permit Scheme Directions (No. 6)
- Prohibits certain persons from entering Victoria except in certain circumstances, and requires certain agricultural, commercial freight and essential service workers to obtain a permit before entering Victoria and undergo testing, among other things.
Public Health and Wellbeing (Quarantine Fees) Regulations 2020
- Prescribes fees for the detention of quarantined persons during the COVID-19 pandemic, and prescribed other matters under Part 14 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.
Restricted Activity Directions (Victoria) (No 5)
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings to address the serious public health risk posed by COVID-19 - came into force at 11.59 pm 3 January 2021.
Stay Safe Directions (Victoria) (No 8)
- Requires persons who reside in Victoria to wear face coverings in certain circumstances, and limits their interactions with others by restricting gatherings - came into force at 11.59 pm on 3 January 2021.
Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations) Directions (No 15)
- Establishes additional specific obligations on employers and workers in specific industries in relation to managing the risk associated with COVID-19 - came into force at 11.59 pm on 3 January 2021.
- Limits the number of Victorians attending work premises to assist in reducing the frequency and scale of COVID-19 outbreaks - came into force at 11.59 pm on 3 January 2021.
Extension of State of Emergency Declaration
- Extends the state of emergency made on 15 March 2020 for fourteen days.
FROM THE REGULATORS
Australian Government:
HealthDirect:
Therapeutic Goods Administration:
- Enviro Tech Holdings Pty Ltd Fined $13,320 for Alleged Unlawful Importation of Surgical Face Masks in Relation to COVID-19
- Guidance on Medical/Surgical Face Masks and Respirator Standards - Key Performance Aspects
- Importing Personal Protective Equipment into Australia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- PPE Direct Pty Ltd Fined $13,320 for Alleged Unlawful Advertising of a COVID-19 Rapid Test Kit
Northern Territory Government:
Queensland Health:
Department of Energy and Mining:
- COVID-19 Update - New Cross Border Travel Restrictions from 21 December
- Resources and Energy Sector COVID-19 Update - NSW Border Restrictions
SA Health:
South Australian Government:
Department of State Growth:
Tasmanian Government:
Department of Health and Human Services:
Victorian Government:
International Organisation for Standardisation:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 13 January 2021.