COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER 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.


Biosecurity (Entry Requirements - Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Determination 2020

  • Sets requirements for individuals or any class of individuals entering Australian territory, to prevent a listed human disease from entering, or establishing itself or spreading in, Australian territory or a part of Australian territory.

Defence Determination, Conditions of service (COVID-19 response) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 21)

  • 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.

Public Health (Jervis Bay Territory) Emergency Declaration Further Extension (No. 2) 2020

  • Further extends the period during which the Public Health (Jervis Bay Territory) Emergency Declaration 2020 is in force.

Treasury Laws Amendment (A Tax Plan for the COVID-19 Economic Recovery) Act 2020

  • Amends various tax laws to assist in economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.


Liquor Amendment (COVID-19 and Managed Alcohol Program) Regulation 2020

  • Clarifies certain trading hour limitations, further provides for pop-up licences, and provides exemptions from processes and fees for certain applications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Order Issued by the Environment Protection Authority Under Section 115 of the Pesticides Act 1999

  • Grants certain classes of persons an exemption from certain provisions of the Pesticides Act 1999 and Pesticides Regulation 2017 in circumstances of an emergency, being the COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales.

Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order (No 3) Amendment Order 2020

  • Makes provision for a safe travel zone between Australia and New Zealand.

Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order (No 2) Amendment Order 2020

  • Amends the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order (No 2) 2020 in relation to persons entering New South Wales who have transited through Victoria from a State or Territory other than Victoria, and in relation to persons transiting through New South Wales by road.

Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 5) Amendment Order 2020

  • Amends the definition of corporate event, provides for the maximum number of persons allowed in hospitality venues, allows certain outdoor music rehearsals and performances, clarifies certain matters and updates references to COVID-19 safety checklists.

Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order (No 4) 2020

  • Directs that persons diagnosed with COVID-19 must immediately travel to a residence or place that has been determined to be suitable for the person to reside in or to a hospital for assessment.


Residential Tenancies COVID-19 Modification Notice Amendment (No. 3) 2020

  • Amends the Residential Tenancies COVID-19 Modification Notice 2020.


Approval of Extension of a Major Emergency Declaration

  • Further extends the Declaration of a Major Emergency made on 22 March 2020 for a period of 28 days.


COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2020

  • Prescribes matters for the purposes of Part 6A of the COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020.

COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Quarantine Debt) Order 2020

  • Prescribes matters for the purposes of section 25B(1) of the COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020.

Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania from Affected Regions and Premises

  • Prohibits an affected person from entering Tasmania if they are not authorised, and requires such a person to leave the State as soon as possible, isolate at an accommodation facility or provide documentation and information if required by an authorised officer.

Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania (General)

  • Requires persons who arrive in Tasmania from outside the State to answer questions and provide information to authorised officers and to isolate for 14 days at an accommodation facility.


Care Facilities Directions (No 14)

  • 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 18 October 2020.

COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) and Other Acts Amendment Act 2020

  • Extends the operation of temporary modifications to the law of Victoria enacted for the purpose of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides for new temporary modifications to the law.

Restricted Activity Directions (Non-Melbourne) (No 8)

  • Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings in Victoria in the relevant area to address the serious public health risk posed by COVID-19 - came into force at 11.59 pm on 18 October 2020

Restricted Activity Directions (Restricted Areas) (No 13)

  • Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings in the restricted area - came into force at 11.59 pm on 18 October 2020.

Stay at Home Directions (Restricted Areas) (No 19)

  • 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 (except in limited circumstances) - came into force at 11.59 pm on 18 October 2020.

Stay Safe Directions (Non-Melbourne) (No 5)

  • Requires persons who ordinarily reside in the relevant area to  wear face coverings, and limit their interactions with others by restricting gatherings, and restricts the circumstances in which they may leave the relevant area - came into force at 11.59 pm on 18 October 2020.

Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations) Directions (No 9)

  • Limits the number of Victorians attending certain work premises to assist in reducing the frequency and scale of COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces, and 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 18 October 2020.


COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020 - Orders

  • Provide for the refund of certain fees.

Extension of Declaration (No. 2) of Public Health State of Emergency

  • Extends the public health state of emergency declaration, which came into effect on 23 March 2020, for 14 days.

Extension of State of Emergency Declaration

  • Extends the State of emergency declaration made on 15 March 2020 for 14 days.


Notice of the Electricity Industry Participation Code Amendment (Revocation of COVID-19 Deferred Payment of Distribution Charges) 2020

  • Notifies the making of the Electricity Industry Participation Code Amendment Removal of COVID-19 Deferred Payment of Distribution Charges.


FROM THE REGULATORS







That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 28 October 2020.