COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 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 intended to be 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 being frequently updated and revoked. The URLs provided may no longer be maintained by the relevant legislative website, after the release date.
- Revokes the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements for Remote Communities) Determination 2020.
- Defers the sunsetting date of the ASIC Class Order [CO 10/407], ASIC Class Order [CO 10/654] and Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 - Takeovers Panel - Procedural Rules (12/04/2010) until 1 April 2021.
- Exempts new and existing Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registered providers from the 2021 annual registration charge, and entry to market charges from 12 April 2020 to 30 June 2021.
COVID-19 Emergency Response Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (No 2)
- Amends the Electoral Act 1992 to support the Electoral Commission to conduct a safe, fair and inclusive 2020 ACT election, and repeals a temporary provision in the Supreme Court Act 1933 which was introduced by the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020.
Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Travellers) Emergency Direction 2020
- Prohibits affected persons from entering the ACT except in certain circumstances, and requires persons who ordinarily reside in the ACT to quarantine following travel from Victoria.
Public Health (Self-Isolation) Emergency Direction 2020 (No 2)
- Directs all consent authorities not to impose certain conditions on the grant of certain development consents .
- Allows, in certain cases, the deferral of payment of special infrastructure contributions required by development consents granted during the COVID-19 pandemic, so as to contribute to measures to stimulate the NSW economy.
- Allows, in certain cases, the deferral of payment of special infrastructure contributions required by development consents granted during the COVID-19 pandemic, so as to contribute to measures to stimulate the NSW economy.
Public Health Amendment (COVID-19 Border Control) Regulation 2020
- Allows for the issue of penalty notices for an offence against section 10 of the Public Health Act 2010 involving a contravention of a Ministerial direction under the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order 2020.
- Amends the Electricity (General) Regulations 2012 to provide special arrangements for the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Gas (Retailer Energy Efficiency Scheme) (Public Health Emergency) Variation Regulations 2020
- Amends the Gas Regulations 2012 to provide special arrangements for the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Direction Under Section 16 of the Public Health Act 1997 (Management of Premises - No. 1)
- Directs occupiers of residential premises, and owners and occupiers of certain other premises, to restrict the total number of persons present at the premises.
Notice Under Section 23 of the COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020
- Identified areas with a higher prevalence of, or risk of exposure to, COVID-19 and which are subject to specific directions to protect public health.
Restricted Activity Directions (No 12)
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertaking in Victoria other than in restricted areas to limit the spread of COVID-19, and imposes an obligation of certain facilities and accommodation providers to use reasonable endeavours to ascertain that the principal place of residence for customers is not in a restricted area.
Restricted Activity Directions (Restricted Areas)
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings in the restricted areas to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Stay at Home Directions (Restricted Areas) (No 2)
- Requires persons who ordinarily reside in a restricted area to limit their interactions with others by restricting when they may leave the residence, and placing restrictions on gatherings including prohibiting private gatherings.
Extension of State of Emergency Declaration
- Extends the State of emergency declaration made on 15 March 2020 for fourteen days
Planning and Development Amendment Act 2020
- Provides an urgent response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as it relates to planning and development impacted by the crises, among other things.
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Amendment Order 2020
- Transfers certain functions to the chief executive of the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) that are currently functions of the Director-General of the Ministry of Health (MoH) or of medical officers of health or health protection officers.
COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020
- Urgently promotes employment growth to support New Zealand’s recovery from the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 and supports the certainty of ongoing investment across New Zealand while continuing to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources.
- Extends the visas held by certain classes of people.
- Grants a limited visa to a class of onshore temporary entry class visa holder.
FROM THE REGULATORS
Australian Maritime Safety Authority:
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication:
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator:
Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner:
Safe Work Australia:
Therapeutic Goods Administration:
- Australia's First COVID Treatment Approved
- Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19 in the ARTG for Legal Supply in Australia
- Doctor Fined $37,800 for Alleged Advertising Breaches Including References to COVID-19
- Regulation of Thermometers and Other Temperature Measuring Medical Devices and Products for COVID-19
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions:
Essential Services Commission:
WA Government:
Western Australia Police Force:
Employment NZ:
NZ Government:
- Govt Launches Bold Primary Sector Plan to Boost Economic Recovery
- Govt Releases Plan to Revitalise Wool Sector
- Managed Isolation and Quarantine Update
- New Support Package for Wildlife Institutions
- Relief for Temporary Migrants, Employers and New Zealanders Who Need Work
- Supporting Stranded Seasonal Workers to Keep Working with More Flexible Options
World Health Organisation:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 22 July 2020.
