COVID-19 Updates October 28 (Li)

COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER 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.

Commonwealth

ASIC Corporations (Product Intervention Order - Contracts for Difference) Instrument 2020/986

Imposes certain conditions on specified dealing in over-the-counter contracts for difference (CFDs) in relation to retail clients, prohibits giving or offering specified benefits to retail clients or prospective retail clients in specified circumstances and requires CFD issuers to take reasonable steps to notify its retail clients of the terms of the instrument.

ASIC Credit (Amendment) Instrument 2020/963

Amends the terms of the exemption provided by the ASIC Credit (Deferral of Mortgage Broker Obligations) Instrument 2020/487 so that it applies in relation to a credit service provided before 1 January 2021, irrespective of when the benefit is given.

Higher Education Provider Amendment (Levy Waiver) Guidelines 2020

Provides for a waiver of the payment of the HELP tuition protection levy for all higher education providers for the 2020 calendar year.

Higher Education Support (Indigenous Student Success Program) (Rollover of Grant Amounts) Amendment Determination 2020

Amends the Higher Education Support (Indigenous Student Success Program) (Rollover of Grant Amounts) Determination (No. 3) 2019.

Radiocommunications (Spectrum Access Charges - 26 GHz Band) Direction 2020

Directs the Australian Communications and Media Authority to permit persons to pay spectrum access charges in instalments under certain conditions, following the substantial financial impact within the communications sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New South Wales

Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 5) Amendment Order (No 2) 2020

Amends the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 5) 2020 to require a COVID-19 Safety Hygiene Marshal for certain gyms, allow certain hospitality bookings, and allow certain gatherings, among other things.

Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation (No 2) 2020

Repeals and replaces the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2020.

Tasmania

Direction Under Section 16 (Assessment of persons from affected regions and premises - No. 3)

Requires affected persons who arrive in Tasmania to undergo certain clinical assessments.

Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania (General)

Requires persons who arrive in Tasmania from outside the State to answer questions and provide information to authorised officers and to isolate for 14 days at an accommodation facility.

Victoria

Area Directions (No 9) - Exclusion of Locality from Restricted Area

Excludes Little River from the restricted area for the purposes of the Area Directions (No 9) - came into force at 11:59 pm on 22 October 2020.

COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Integrity Entities) Amendment Regulations 2020

Modifies the application of the provisions in the Local Government Act 2020 to provide for service and attendance by audio visual link and related matters.

Metro-Regional Work Travel Permit Scheme Directions

Sets obligations for certain employers who operate a work premises in the restricted area or relevant area, and for their employees when travelling to and from those work premises - came into force at 11.59 pm on 28 October 2020.

Restricted Activity Directions (Melbourne)

Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings - came into force at 11.59 pm 28 October 2020.

Restricted Activity Directions (Non-Melbourne) (No 10)

Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings in the relevant area - came into force at 11.59 pm on 28 October 2020.

Stay Safe Directions (Melbourne)

Requires persons who ordinarily reside in the restricted area to wear face coverings and limit interactions with others, and restricts the circumstances in which they may leave the restricted area - came into force at 11.59 pm on 28 October 2020.

Stay Safe Directions (Non-Melbourne) (No 6)

Requires persons who ordinarily reside in the relevant area to wear face coverings and limit interactions with others, and restricts the circumstances in which they may leave the relevant area - came into force at 11.59 pm on 28 October 2020.

VC193

Amends clause 52.18 of the Victorian Planning Provisions to support Victoria’s social and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through temporary planning scheme and permit condition exemptions that enable outdoor dining and facilitate the reopening and safe operation of restaurants and other food and drink businesses.

Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations) Directions (No 10)

Limits the number of Victorians attending certain work premises to assist in reducing the frequency and scale of COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces - came into force at 11.59 pm on 28 October 2020.

Workplace Directions (No 8)

Limits the number of Victorians attending work premises to assist in reducing the frequency and scale of COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces - came into force at 11:59 pm on 28 October 2020.