Lockdown extended but construction to re-open

LOCKDOWN EXTENDED FOR GREATER SYDNEY BUT CONSTRUCTION TO RE-OPEN

Today the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian announced a further four-week extension to the lockdown in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour through to midnight on Friday 27 August 2021.  Changes to the current COVID-19 restrictions have also been announced.  Key amongst these are measures which directly impact the construction and trade sector.  From Saturday 31 July 2021: 

• Construction work can recommence in un-occupied work sites subject to a one person per 4sqm rule.
• Other trade work can recommence where it can be done without contact with clients and homeowners.
• For occupied sites, there is a cap on the number of trades-people who can be onsite at any time:  internal work max of 2 workers, and outside work max of 5 people onsite at any time.   
• No construction/non-essential trade work may take place within the eight nominated Local Government Areas as outlined below. 

This means that construction and maintenance works can recommence from Saturday, 31 July 2021 – other than within the eight specified LGAs (see below).  However, all sites must have COVID safe plans in place and compliance will be strictly enforced.

Other key announcements today:

Three additional Local Government Areas have been added to the list of LGAs which are under extreme lockdown.  Adding to Fairfield, Canterbury/Bankstown, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland, residents of Georges River, Campbelltown and Parramatta LGAs are now also not permitted to leave their areas.  Construction is not permitted to take place in any of these LGAs until the lockdown is lifted.  Only those whose work is on the list of authorised workers may leave those areas, and strict testing requirements continue to apply to those people.

Job saver has been expanded to cover a wider range of businesses. Individual COVID disaster payments from the Commonwealth government will be expanded.

Working COVID-Safely:

The return to site is great news for the industry, but all members are reminded of the critical importance of following COVID-safe measures as you do so:

• Enforce COVID-safe plans on all work sites.
• Do not have face-to-face contact with clients.  Consider contactless payments and communication by phone or email only.
• Use QR codes to check-in to each worksite.
• Use appropriate PPE – including face-masks.  Please note that face-masks are mandatory even on outdoor worksites.  See here for details.
• Ensure appropriate hand hygiene including the use of sanitiser for all team members.
• Maintain 1.5m social distancing.
• Ensure that no-one comes to work if they feel unwell.  In this instance, people should get tested and stay home until a negative result is received.
• Get vaccinated.

Further information:

The latest information on restrictions and measures can be found on the NSW Health website.  As the Public Health Order is updated, we will provide further information.

We are pleased to note that our industry’s voice has been heard and that outdoor trades have been acknowledged as low-risk, with special considerations given to our sector’s ability to work as freely as possible.

Please contact the TLA team on (02) 9630 4844 or via team@landscapeassociation.com.au should you need assistance.