Latest COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Bulletin for Businesses

Euroa Chamber of Business & Commerce: Information for Members

27 May 2020

The Victorian Government have announced future easing to restrictions. Changes to these dates will be subject to the advice of the Chief Health Officer. Stage 2 of easing Business Restrictions will change from 11:59pm on 31 May. What this means for:

Restaurants and cafes

Up to 20 seated patrons per enclosed space.
All venues must abide by physical distancing requirements. Limits will be placed on entry to comply with the density requirements allowed within a single space – one customer per four square metres.Tables should be spaced at least 1.5m apart.
Venues are required to request contact details, first name and phone number, of every customer to assist in rapid contact tracing other safety precautions will also be required, including extra cleaning. Staff should not work when unwell.

From 11.59 on 21 June this will increase to 50 patrons per enclosed space. A further increase of up to 100 patrons per enclosed space is planned for the second half of July.

Shopping, retail and personal services

Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, spas, tattoo parlours and massage parlours can now open with up to 20 patrons – the four square metre rule will apply to the publicly accessible parts of the venue, and a distance of 1.5metre should be maintained between customers.
Non-food and drink market stalls may open – the four square metre rule applies to indoor markets and a distance of 1.5metre should be maintained between people who do not live in the same household.
Auction houses, real estate auctions and open house inspections increase to 20 people plus the minimum number reasonably required to facilitate.
Other retail outlets may continue to operate; the four square metre rule applies to customers, and a distance of 1.5m should be maintained between people who do not live in the same household.

Sport and exercise - (From 11:59pm on 31 May)

Up to 20 people can participate in outdoor group sport and exercise activities, provided you can keep your distance (at least 1.5 metres apart) and they are not competitive.
Up to 20 people can use public playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skateparks
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools can be opened to a maximum of 20 patrons per separate enclosed space and a limit of 3 persons per lane in each pool.

Travel and accommodation (From 11:59pm on 31 May)

Overnight stays in private residences and holiday homes allowed.
Overnight stays in tourist accommodation, including caravan parks and camping grounds, allowed where there are no shared communal facilities (e.g. kitchens and bathrooms).
Tourist accommodation can open to guests provided there are no shared communal facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms.

Community Services (From 11:59pm on 31 May)

Libraries are permitted to open, (yay!) with no more than 20 people allowed in each separate space, subject to the four square metre rule, in addition to those required to operate the library.
Community facilities (eg RSL clubs, community halls, youth centres, PCYCs) are permitted to open with no more than 20 people allowed in each separate space, subject to the four square metre rule, in addition to those required to operate the facility. Indoor sporting facilities within these facilities continue to be closed. Cafes and restaurants within these facilities must adhere to the restrictions on cafes and restaurants.

Entertainment and culture (From 11:59pm on 31 May:)

Galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites up to 20 customers allowed per separate space, while ensuring that physical distancing requirements of one person per four square metres is applied.

Religion and ceremony (From 11:59pm on 31 May:)

Weddings can have 20 guests, plus the celebrant and the couple.
50 people can attend a funeral in addition to the officiant and funeral staff, subject to the four square metre rule. If a funeral is held in a home, a maximum of 20 people can be present (including the officiant and funeral staff).
Private worship or small religious ceremonies may have up to 20 people, plus the people reasonably required for the ceremony.

Source - https://www.victorianchamber.com.au/business-support/crisis-information/covid-19-coronavirus-resources#restaurants-cafes - Please visit this link if you require further information on any of the above.

For all businesses not subject to restrictions, physical distancing and increased hygiene measures need to continue to be implement to reduce the risk of transmission of the Coronavirus.

It is suggested you continue to work from home if this is an option. There are still only five reasons Victorians can leave home:

shop for food and other necessary goods and services
access medical services or provide caregiving – for example, this includes shared parenting obligations or providing care and support to an unwell, disabled, elderly or pregnant friend or relative.
attend work or education where these cannot be done from home
exercise and participate in some recreational activities adhering to the rules
visit friends, family and loved ones while adhering to the rules.

All below links are updated regularly if you need further information or assistance for your business.

Stephanie Swift - President Euroa Chamber of Business and Commerce (May 27 2020)

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29/03/20

In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the situation is ever changing for businesses, we have created a central information hub for businesses within our region, to navigate their way through this unprecedented situation.

The most relevant and accurate information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak situation can be found on

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

A very useful source of business information - including closures, current restrictions and regulations in place for business, visit - https://www.victorianchamber.com.au/business-support/crisis-information/covid-19-coronavirus-resources

Also the Federal Government has launched a new Corona-virus app, which holds all the information you need to know about the virus and the most up to date advise.

For information regarding Council moments on this situation, you can monitor the Strathbogie Shire Coronavirus update page at https://www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/council/news-a-newsletters/latest-news/1622-corona-virus-update-given.

It is so important you Stay Home to stop the spread of this virus and only go out when necessary, and follow the governments regular advise (through the above links). Although, in doing this we are aware it affects local business greatly. Until this passes, we ask you call and do business over the phone where possible, many business are offering pick up and delivery options. We ask you to buy gift vouchers where possible and we ask you to shop online if the business has this option.

Businesses have had to adapt very quickly, inventing new ways to try to navigate their way through this. We have already seen businesses shut their doors until this passes. We can all do our bit to spend locally and support the business community during this time, in doing this you are supporting the people in our community. Every little bit counts. Please make 2020 your year to shop local!

If any members of the chamber or the wider business community are in need of support during this challenging time or need further information on anything - please contact one of our executive committee members. We are here for you, we are a business support network and have a range of contacts we can pass on to you.

"It always seems impossible until its done" (Nelson Mandela)

Lets stick together, support each other and stay in touch. We are in it together for the long haul. See you soon.

Stephanie Swift - President Euroa Chamber of Business and Commerce