COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 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.
ASIC Corporations (Amendment) Instrument 2020/1080
- Implements temporary measures aimed at facilitating financial reporting by listed and unlisted entities whose reporting processes take additional time due to current remote work arrangements, travel restrictions and other impacts of COVID-19.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Environmental Management Charge) Regulations 2020
- Extends the current waiver of the Environmental Management Charge for certain commercial operations in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to 30 June 2021 in order to provide continued relief to the industry.
- Provides that an asset of a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) is not taken to be an in‑house asset for the 2019-20, 2020-21 and future income years where certain circumstances apply to the SMSF.
Social Security (Qualifying Agricultural Work) Determination 2020
- Specifies the kinds of work that are ‘qualifying agricultural work’ for the purposes of Section 1067A(15) of the Social Security Act 1991.
Therapeutic Goods (Standard for Tablets, Capsules and Pills) Amendment Order 2020
- Defers the commencement of Section 16 of the Therapeutic Goods (Standard for Tablets, Capsules and Pills) (TGO 101) Order 2019 to 30 June 2021, in response to the increased pressures on the pharmaceuticals industry resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 6) 2020
- Revokes and remakes, with some changes, the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 5) 2020.
Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 20) (COVID-19) Direction 2020
- Prohibits the entry of certain persons into South Australia except in certain circumstances, requires certain 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 14) (COVID-19) Direction 2020
- 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, for the purpose of minimising the spread of COVID-19.
Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 15) (COVID-19) Direction 2020
- 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.
Residential Tenancy (Extension of Emergency Period) Order (No. 3) 2020
- Extends until 31 January 2021 the emergency period that was to expire on 1 December 2020.
Stay Safe Directions (Victoria) (No 3)
- Requires residents of Victoria to wear face coverings and limits interactions with others by restricting gatherings - came into force at 11.59 pm on 29 November 2020.
- Limits the number of Victorians attending work premises to reduce the frequency and scale of COVID-19 outbreaks in Victorian workplaces and establish more specific obligations on employers and workers in relation to managing COVID-19 risk - came into force at 11:59 pm on 29 November.
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 fourteen days.
- Exempts certain person from Clauses 11A(5)(a) and 8(3) of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) 2020 subject to conditions.
FROM THE REGULATORS
Australian Maritime Safety Authority:
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment:
Department of Primary Industries:
NSW Government:
QLD Government:
Department for Energy and Mining:
SA Health:
Victorian Government:
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment:
Ministry of Health:
NZ Government:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 9 December 2020.