MPBAA Media Centre

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Last Updated: 06 September 2021

The Victorian Government has announced Regional Victoria will enter lockdown from 1pm Saturday, 21 August until 11.59pm Thursday, 2 September. 

They have also announced changes to the construction industry in Regional Victoria in line with the Metro Melbourne restrictions however, there is no curfew within Regional Victoria. 

Construction - Unoccupied Sites

Each small-scale construction site will:

• Reduce the number of people on-site to five people plus a supervisor at any one time.
• Limit movement of workers between different sites. For small-scale construction, supervisors can move between sites and specialist contractors can move between up to three sites per week.
• All workers moving between multiple sites must wear a face mask (indoors and outdoors), check-in using the Victorian Government’s QR code app, and observe hygiene measures.
• Supervisors moving between sites should adhere to enhanced COVIDSafe practices.

Construction - Occupied Sites

Services that operate solely outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained at all times. All workers must wear a face mask (indoors and outdoors). Solo work only unless additional workers are required for safety reasons:

• Outdoor maintenance, repairs, cleaning, and other building work, including at occupied premises.
• Home renovations and installations (outdoor only)
• Home solar panel installations (only for outdoor work or in roof cavities with external access).

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Last Updated: 17 August 2021

Metro Melbourne - Construction Industry Update

SPASAVIC has received additional information regarding the density requirements on unoccupied construction sites.  

Construction - Unoccupied Sites

Each small-scale construction site will:

• Reduce the number of people on-site to five people plus a supervisor at any one time.
• Limit movement of workers between different sites. For small-scale construction, supervisors can move between sites and specialist contractors can move between up to three sites per week.
• All workers moving between multiple sites must wear a face mask (indoors and outdoors), check-in using the Victorian Government’s QR code app, and observe hygiene measures.
• Supervisors moving between sites should adhere to enhanced COVIDSafe practices.

Construction - Occupied Sites

Services that operate solely outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained at all times, at occupied premises returns to a single authorised worker, except where it is dangerous to work alone, in which case a supervisor is allowed.

• Outdoor maintenance, repairs, cleaning, and other building work, including at occupied premises.
• Home renovations and installations (outdoor only)
• Home solar panel installations (only for outdoor work or in roof cavities with external access).

Authorised Work Permits

Authorised Worker Permits will be required from 11.59pm on Tuesday, August 17:

• Authorised workers living in Melbourne will be required to carry permits when working and travelling for work. This includes apprentices training with an Authorised Provider or Authorised Worker.
• Permits need to be certified by an employer
• Victorians living in regional Victoria and entering metropolitan Melbourne for authorised work must also obtain a permit.

The Business Victoria Construction FAQ's is now updated as well as the Construction Sector Guidance FAQ's

SPASAVIC – keeping members informed since 1961

Details

Last Updated: 16 August 2021

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has declared that from tonight the lockdown restrictions will be strengthened and extended in metropolitan Melbourne, until 11.59pm on Thursday, 2 September.

Changes to restrictions from 11.59pm, Monday 16th August include: 

• Curfew - From 9pm to 5am, a person is not permitted to leave their home except for limited reasons.
• If you can work from home, you MUST work from home.

 Changes to restrictions from 11.59pm, Tuesday 17th August include: 

• A permit is required when leaving home for authorised work.
• The authorised permit form is available HERE

Pool Shops:

• Closed (open for contactless click and collect only).

After a meeting with government in an industry forum the below changes for the construction sector have been advised:

Construction, Pool Service & Pool Maintenance:

• Unoccupied sites can continue with a COVIDSafe plan, face masks and social distancing, however, workplace limits will apply. 
• Outdoor Occupied Sites - Services that operate solely outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained at all times. Solo work only unless additional workers are required for safety reasons:
  • Outdoor maintenance, repairs, cleaning, and other building work, including at occupied premises.
  • Home renovations and installations (outdoor only)
  • Home solar panel installations (only for outdoor work or in roof cavities with external access).

The Business Victoria Construction FAQ's will be updated overnight. As further advice is confirmed we will let members know. 

SPASAVIC – keeping members informed since 1961.

PREMIER STATEMENT

AUTHORISED WORKER LIST

Details

Last Updated: 13 August 2021

Outdoor work related to building and construction has been added to the Authorised Provider and Authorised Worker list.

Services that operate solely outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained at all times are permitted for up to five people (with an additional supervisor) for businesses with an ABN: 

• Outdoor maintenance, repairs, cleaning and other building work, including at occupied premises. 
• Home renovations and installations (outdoor only) 
• Home solar panel installations (only for outdoor work or in roof cavities with external access). 

A Small Business COVID Hardship Fund has also been announced to assist eligible small and medium businesses that have experienced a reduction in turnover of at least 70%.

The Fund will assist eligible small and medium businesses: 

• whose operations have been severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions that have been in place between 27 May 2021 and August 2021 
• that have experienced at least a 70% reduction in turnover as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions 
• that are not eligible for other key COVID-19 Victorian Government business grant programs that have been announced since 27 May 2021. 

The program offers grants of $10,000 to eligible small and medium businesses, including employing and non-employing businesses. This program will allow more businesses who have previously not received support, to receive financial relief now. 

More information on eligibility and to apply visit the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund website. 

SPASAVIC – keeping members informed since 1961.

Details

Last Updated: 11 August 2021

The Victorian Government has extended the lockdown for Metro Melbourne until at least 11.59pm, Thursday 19 August 2021 and the 5 reasons to leave home have not changed:

• Getting food and the supplies you need, within 5kms of your home or the nearest location,
• Exercising for up to two hours, within 5kms of your home or the nearest location,
• Care or caregiving,
• Authorised work or education if you can’t do it from home,
• or to get vaccinated at the nearest possible location.

Businesses are also urged to support workers to get vaccinated. 

At this stage it is understood the below information is correct for Metro Melbourne. As further advice is confirmed we will let members know. 

Pool Shops:

• Closed (open for contactless click and collect only).

Construction, Pool Service & Pool Maintenance:

• All aspects of construction - including the building and installation of pools, landscaping, and garden works - are permitted at UNOCCUPIED premises throughout this lockdown.

• For OCCUPIED premises, emergency works only are permitted unless it is a solo outdoor service. This means businesses with an ABN can resume an outdoor service in occupied premises in metropolitan Melbourne when it can be carried out by a single worker and physical distancing from occupants can be maintained at all times.

Victoria & NSW Cross Border Communities:

• All residents of the cross-border community local government areas will now be required to obtain a permit to cross between Victoria and NSW from 6pm, Friday 13 August.
• Residents will be able to apply for a permit from Thursday afternoon at the Service Victoria website and via the Service Victoria app.

The permitted reasons cross-border community residents can cross the Victorian-NSW border include:

• Necessary goods and services, including medical care
• Care or other compassionate reasons
• Work (whether paid or voluntary, including for charitable or religious purposes)
• Education (including childcare or early childhood services)
• Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination
• Organised/community sport and exercise connected to or organised by a club or facility.

SPASAVIC – keeping members informed since 1961.

Business Victoria FAQ

Authorised Worker List

Details

Last Updated: 10 August 2021

Solo outdoor services related to building and construction have been

added to the Authorised Provider and Authorised Worker list.

From 11:59 Monday 9 August 2021, solo outdoor services are permitted where physical

distancing can be maintained.

This applies to businesses with an ABN providing the following services:

• Outdoor maintenance, repairs, cleaning and other building work, including at
• occupied premises.
• Home renovations and installations (outdoor only)
• Home solar panel installations (only for outdoor work or in roof cavities with external access).

This means businesses with an ABN can resume an outdoor service in occupied premises in metropolitan Melbourne when it can be carried out by a single worker and physical distancing from occupants can be maintained at all times.

As we receive additional information we will keep you updated.

SPASAVIC – keeping members informed since 1961.

AUTHORISED WORKER LIST

BUSINESS VICTORIA CONSTRUCTION FAQ