COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY 12 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 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.
- Allows more time for the person responsible for the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft to vary the approved maintenance program for the aircraft following changes to its instructions for continuing airworthiness (ICA), as operators may be unable to meet that requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and recognises that there may be reasons not to vary the AMP in accordance with the ICA.
- Expands certain benefits that have been provided in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and provides additional benefits to meet the ongoing needs to the ADF workforce during this period.
Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Home Affairs Measures No. 4) Regulations 2020
- Establishes legislative authority for the Government to make pandemic leave disaster payment grants (pandemic payments) to eligible individuals who are unable to earn income while under a direction to self-isolate or quarantine as a result of the coronavirus known as COVID-19.
- Permanently adds ‘human coronavirus with pandemic potential’ to the National Notifiable Disease List.
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response - 2020 Measures No. 12) Determination 2020
- Provides for additional purposes for which the Secretary of the Department of Social Services can use JobKeeper information provided to the Secretary by the Commissioner under section 204A of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999.
Public Health Amendment Act 2020 (No 2)
- Establishes a power for the Minister to determine a quarantine fee.
- Restricts non-essential gatherings and the operation of non-essential businesses and undertakings to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Amendment Order (No 2) 2020
- Amends the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order 2020 and the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order (No 2) 2020 in relation to control of the New South Wales border.
Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order (No 2) Amendment Order 2020
- Amends the quarantine restrictions concerning maritime movement to allow for the control of the movement of crew members.
Assessment of Persons from Affected Regions and Premises - No. 1
- Directs affected persons who arrive in Tasmania to undergo certain clinical assessments on arrival.
Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania from Affected Regions and Premises
- Prohibits affected persons from entering Tasmania unless they are a resident of Tasmania or authorised person, and allows authorised officers to require affected persons who are not a resident to leave and to isolate at an accommodation facility until they can leave.
- Identifies 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 - came into force 11:59pm on 5 August 2020.
Education and Training Reform Amendment (COVID-19 Emergency Measures) Regulations 2020
- Modifies the minimum standard for school registration regarding the keeping of the school attendance register in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Establishes the Permitted Worker Permit Scheme and the Access to Onsite Childcare/Kindergarten Permit Scheme - came into force at 12:59am on 8 August 2020.
Public Health and Wellbeing Further Amendment (Infringements) Regulations 2020
- Prescribes refusing or failing to comply with a requirement to self-isolate or self-quarantine as an offence for which an infringement notice may be issued.
Restricted Activity Directions (Non-Melbourne)
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings in Victoria in the relevant area to limit the spread of COVID-19 - came into force at 11:59pm on 5 August 2020.
Restricted Activity Directions (Restricted Areas) (No 6)
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings in the restricted area to limit the spread of COVID-19 - came into force at 11:59pm on 5 August 2020.
Stay at Home Directions (Non-Melbourne)
- Requires persons who ordinarily reside in the relevant area to limit their interactions with others by restricting circumstances in which they may leave the residence and the relevant area, restricting gatherings and prohibiting private gatherings - came into force at 11:59pm on 5 August 2020.
Stay at Home Directions (Restricted Areas) (No 10)
- 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 - came into force at 11.59am on 8 August 2020.
Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations) Directions (No 3)
- Limits the number of Victorians attending certain work premises to assist in reducing the frequency and scale of COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces and establish additional specific obligations on employers and workers in specific industries in relation to managing the risk associated with COVID-19 - came into force at 12:59am on 11 August 2020.
- Limits the number of Victorians attending work premises to assist in reducing the frequency and scale of COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces, and established more specific obligations on employers and workers in relation to managing the risk associated with COVID-19 - came into force at 12:59am on 8 August 2020.
COVID-19 Public Health Response Amendment Act 2020
- Introduces a new charging system for managed isolation to balance the rights of New Zealanders to return home and help reduce pressure on the system.
COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Act (No 2) 2020
- Makes amendments relating to administrative matters and to taxation legislation that are aimed at assisting the Government and New Zealanders to more effectively manage, and recover from, the impacts of COVID-19.
Notice of the Land Transport Rule: COVID-19 Response (No 1) Amendment 2020
- Extends the benefits of the Land Transport Rule: COVID-19 Response (No 1) 2020 beyond the end of the key restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and fixes dates that could have been determined by the Agency under the Rule.
- Provides a temporary exemption of a benefit from a stand down in certain circumstances, and prescribes new circumstances in which the Ministry of Social Development may consider an exemption from expiry under Section 322 of the Social Security Act 2018 for job seeker support or sole parent support
FROM THE REGULATORS
Department of Education, Skills and Employment: Explainer:
- COVID-19 Gradual Return of Mutual Obligation Requirements
- Explainer: COVID-19 Gradual Return of Mutual Obligation Requirements
- Update: Gradual Return of Mutual Obligation Requirements for Job Seekers from 4 August 2020
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator:
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response - Updated 10 August 2020
- Don’t Pressure Truckies as COVID Restriction Starts
- Victoria Work Permit Update
Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner:
Therapeutic Goods Administration:
ACT Government:
- Chief Health Officer Statement: Consideration of Human Rights Implications of Imposed Public Health Emergency Directions
- Extended Support for Businesses During Pandemic
- Extending Support for Sports Sector Through COVID-19
- Mental Health Funding Boost Helping Canberra’s Workers
- Supporting Local While Easing Stress and Anxiety
- Update on ACT COVID-19 Restrictions
Department of Health:
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment:
Queensland Health:
The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory:
Department of Health:
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety:
Dedicated COVID-19 Webpage:
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment:
NZ Government:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 19 August 2020.
