COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 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.
Economic Recovery Package (JobMaker Hiring Credit) Amendment Act 2020
- Makes amendments that allow the Treasurer to make rules for a kind of Coronavirus economic response payment that is primarily intended to improve the prospects of individuals getting employment or increase workforce participation.
- Exempts certain applicants of the Subclass 186 and Subclass 187 visas in the Temporary Residence Transition stream from having to satisfy the age requirement at the time of application.
- Amends Migration (IMMI 18/052: Transitional operation of regulation 5.19 for certain 457 visa holders) Instrument 2018.
Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Coronavirus and Other Measures) Act 2020
- Provides for further economic support payments, temporarily changes the circumstances in which a person is regarded as independent for the purposes of the youth allowance, introduces a temporary revised paid parental leave work test, and improves assistance for certain families among other things.
Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Travellers) Emergency Direction Revocation 2020
- Revokes the Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Travellers) Emergency Direction 2020 (No 3).
Public Health (COVID 19 Interstate Travellers - South Australia) Emergency Direction 2020 (No 2)
- Restricts the entry of certain persons into the ACT, and requires certain persons to complete a self-declaration form.
Public Health (Emergency) Declaration Further Extension 2020 (No 12)
- Further extends the period during which the Public Health (Emergency) Declaration 2020 (No 1) is in force by 90 days.
Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2020
- Remakes special statutory provisions allowing meetings in which authorised officers take evidence and answers to questions to be conducted by audio link or audio visual link.
Planning and Environment Legislation Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2020
- Remakes special statutory provisions allowing meetings in which authorised officers and investigation officers take evidence and answers to questions to be conducted by audio link or audio visual link.
Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation and Maritime Quarantine) Amendment Order (No 3) 2020
- Makes particular amendments and provides for transitional arrangements consequential on the repeal of the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order (No 2) 2020.
Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order (No 2) Repeal Order 2020
- Repeals the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order (No 2) 2020.
Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control - South Australia) Order 2020
- Requires persons entering New South Wales from South Australia to declare certain information, and requires persons who have been in a COVID-19 area of concern in South Australia to take certain actions.
- Amends the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 5) 2020 in relation to electronic recording of contact details, outdoor music events and religious services, persons permitted at weddings and funerals, and outdoor public gatherings, among other things.
Water Management (General) Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2020
- Remakes special statutory provisions allowing meetings in which authorised officers take evidence and answers to questions to be conducted by audio link or audio visual link.
Children and Young People (Safety) (Covid-19 Exemption) Variation Regulations 2020
- Provides for certain exemptions from the requirement to be assessed before employment in certain facilities.
Emergency Management (COVID-19) (Parafield Cluster Isolation) Direction 2020
- Requires certain persons to self-isolate and be tested for COVID-19.
Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 19) (COVID-19) Direction
- Prohibits the entry of persons from Victoria to South Australia except in certain circumstances, requires certain other persons to self-quarantine and be tested for COVID-19, and requires the use of face masks by certain essential travellers.
Emergency Management (Public Activities No 12) (COVID-19) Direction
- Imposes principles and rules relating to the conduct of certain activities involving members of the public, and the management of places in which the activities occur, to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
Emergency Management (Stay at Home No 3) (COVID-19) (Revocation) Direction 2020
- Revokes the Emergency Management (Stay at Home) No 3) (COVID-19) Direction 2020.
Residential Aged Care Facilities No 14 (COVID-19) Direction
- 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.
Direction Under Section 16 - (Contact Tracing - No. 1)
- Directs owners and operators of certain businesses to keep specified information for the purpose of rapidly identifying possible contacts that may be exposed to COVID-19.
Direction Under Section 16 - (Management of premises - No. 6)
- Restricts the number of persons who may be present at certain premises.
Residential Tenancy Amendment (COVID-19) Act 2020
- Provides for amendments of the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 to further reduce the effects of COVID-19 on landlords and tenants.
Border Crossing Permit Scheme Directions
- Prevents certain prohibited persons from entering Victoria, and requires certain other persons to carry a permit when entering Victoria - came into force at 11.59 pm on 21 November 2020.
Care Facilities Directions (No 17)
- Provides for restricted access to care facilities to limit the spread of COVID-19 within a particularly vulnerable population - came into force at 11:59 pm on 22 November 2020.
Community Transmission Zone Directions
- Restricts entry into Victoria of persons who have been in a community transmission zone - came into force at 11.59 pm on 19 November 2020.
Hospital Visitor Directions (No 15)
- Prohibits certain visits to hospitals to limit the spread of COVID-19 - came into force at 11:59 pm on 22 November 2020.
Restricted Activity Directions (Victoria) (No 2)
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings - came into force at 11.59 pm 22 November 2020.
Stay Safe Directions (Victoria) (No 2)
- Requires residents of Victoria to wear a face covering in certain circumstances, and limits interactions with others by restricting gatherings - came into force at 11.59 pm on 22 November 2020.
Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations) Directions (No 13)
- Established additional specific obligations on employers and workers in specific industries in relation to managing COVID-9 risk - came into force at 11.59 pm on 22 November 2020.
- Limits the number of Victorians attending work premises to reduce the frequency and scale of COVID-19 outbreaks and establish specific obligations on employers and workplaces in relation to managing COVID-19 risk - came into force at 11:59 pm on 22 November 2020.
COVID-19 Response Legislation Amendment (Extension of Expiring Provisions) Act 2020
- Extends the sunset date that applies to Section 72A of the Emergency Management Act 2005, and ensures that higher penalties continue to apply to serious assaults and threats against public officers committed in the context of COVID-19 for a further 6 months beyond the current sunset date of 4 April 2021.
Extension of State of Emergency Declaration
- Extends the State of emergency declared on 15 March 2020 for a further fourteen days.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Required Testing) Amendment Order (No 3) 2020
- Imposes new duties on a person conducting a business or undertaking who employs or engages an affected person to facilitate compliance with certain testing and medical examination requirements, and to keep and maintain certain records of compliance.
- Exempts certain persons from clause 9A of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order 2020.
FROM THE REGULATORS
Therapeutic Goods Administration:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Provisional Determinations
- Nafara Australia Pty Ltd Fined $13,320 for Alleged Unlawful Importation of Medical Face Masks in Relation to COVID-19
- Sydney Man Fined $10,656 for Alleged Unlawful Advertising Including a Reference to Coronavirus
- Sydney Man Fined $2,664 for Alleged Unlawful Importation of Medical Face Masks in Relation to COVID-19
- TGA Grants Third Provisional Determination for a COVID-19 Vaccine
NSW Government:
- Plans for New Year’s Eve and Festive Season
- Travel to and from NSW - Updated 23 November 2020
- $100 Vouchers to Support Local Economy
NSW Health:
NSW Transport:
Parliament of NSW:
Department for Infrastructure and Transport:
Department of Energy and Mining:
- COVID-19: Application of New Stay at Home Direction to Energy and Mining Sectors
- COVID-19 Controls: New Directions Released
- COVID-19: Energy and Mining Sectors Update
- Restrictions on Resource Sector Operations to be Eased
- Temporary Border Controls Between Victoria and South Australia
SA Government:
- Circuit Breaker Restrictions in Place from Tonight
- COVID-19 Response - Updated 22 November 2020
- COVID-19 Update
- COVID-19 Update 18 November
- COVID-19 Update 20 November
- COVID-19 Update 21 November
- COVID-19 Update 22 November
- Stay at Home
- Travel Restrictions - Updated 19 November 2020
SA Health:
Tasmanian Government:
Victorian Government:
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Daily Update - Updated 23 November 2020
- Employers Urged Keep Workers Safe this Holiday Season
- Last Step - Coronavirus Roadmap for Reopening
- Statement from the Premier
- Summary of Last Step Restrictions from 11.59 pm on 22 November 2020
- Victoria to Take First Big Step to Tackle Insecure Work
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries:
NZ Government:
World Health Organisation:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 2 December 2020.