COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY 16 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.
- Varies the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020 to extend the human biosecurity emergency period for a further three months until 17 March 2021.
Customs (Prohibited Exports) Amendment (COVID-19 Export Restrictions Repeal) Regulations 2020
- Repeals Regulations 13GI and 13GJ of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958, which included a temporary control on the export of goods essential to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Defence Determination, Conditions of Service Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 28)
- Amends the Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of Service.
Industry Research and Development (COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program) Instrument 2020
- Prescribes the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program.
Migration Amendment (Prospective Marriage Visas) Regulations 2020
- Addresses the impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions by extending the duration of Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage) visas to 31 March 2022 in certain circumstances.
Public Health (COVID 19 Interstate Travellers - South Australia) Emergency Direction Revocation 2020
- Revokes the Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Travellers-South Australia) Emergency Direction2020 (No 2).
- Restricts non-essential gatherings and the operation of non-essential businesses and undertakings in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Public Health (COVID-19 Aged Care Facilities) Order (No 4) 2020
- Repeals and remakes, with minor changes, the Public Health (COVID-19 Aged Care Facilities) Order (No 3) 2020.
Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order (No 4) 2020
- Repeals and remakes the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order (No 3) 2020 with some amendments, including by giving Ministerial directions for the testing of certain workers whose functions or services relate to a quarantine facility in accordance with a testing program approved by the Chief Health Officer of the Ministry of Health.
Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control - South Australia) Order Repeal Order 2020
- Repeals the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control - South Australia) Order 2020.
Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order (No 4) 2020
- Repeals and remakes, with some changes, the Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order (No 3) 2020.
Extension of Operation of Declaration of Public Health Emergency
- Extends the declaration of a public health emergency made on 18 March 2020 for a period of 90 days from 23 December 2020.
Disaster Management (Further Extension of Disaster Situation - COVID-19) Regulation (No. 7) 2020
- Further extends the period of the disaster situation declared for the whole of the State of Queensland on 22 March 2020.
Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 22) (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 16) (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 17) (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.
Emergency Management (Supervised Quarantine) (COVID-19) Direction 2020
- Specified testing and other requirements for employees and contractors at med-hotels, and requirements for persons undertaking supervised quarantine.
Extension of a Major Emergency Declaration
- Further extends the Major Emergency declared on 22 March 2020 for 28 days from 12 December 2020.
Direction Under Section 16 (Contact Tracing - No. 2)
- Requires owners and occupiers of certain premises to keep specified information, and to refuse entry to a premises of business where a person refuses to provide specified information.
Direction Under Section 16 (Management of Premises - No. 7)
- Restricts the number of persons present at residential and certain other premises.
Direction Under Section 16 (Mass Gatherings - No. 1)
- Permits certain mass gatherings at premises other than residential premises.
Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania
- Requires persons arriving in Tasmania to provide certain information, and to isolate at an accommodation facility if required by an authorised officer.
Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania
- Requires persons arriving in Tasmania to provide certain information, and to isolate at an accommodation facility if required by an authorised officer.
Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania
- Requires persons arriving in Tasmania to provide certain information, and to isolate at an accommodation facility if required by an authorised officer.
Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Quarantine Fees) Act 2020
- Provides for payment of fees payable in relation to quarantine detention.
Restricted Activity Directions (Victoria) (No 4)
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings in Victoria - came into force at 11.59 pm 9 December 2020.
Revocation of Border Crossing Permit Scheme Directions (No. 2)
- Revokes the Border Crossing Permit Scheme Directions (No. 2).
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.
FROM THE REGULATORS
Therapeutic Goods Administration:
SafeWork NSW:
Department for Energy and Mining:
Maritime Safety Victoria:
Victorian Government:
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety:
WA Government:
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment:
NZ Government:
- Bluetooth Upgrade to NZ COVID Tracer App to Boost Contact Tracing While Protecting Privacy
- Make Summer Unstoppable by Hitting COVID-19 for Six
Standards New Zealand:
World Health Organisation:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 23 December 2020.