30 June 2020 / COVID-19

QLD-VIC Border Restrictions Tightening

The QLD Premier and Deputy QLD Premier just spoke to the media regarding QLD restrictions & border closures:

  • Moving toward some aspects of Stage 3 as of this Friday, 3 July (brought forward by one week)
  • Weddings, funerals, gyms and private gatherings will be allowed 100 people
  • Ordering at bars, pubs, clubs, cafes etc allowed - no limit on numbers for venues provided they have space for 4m2 per person
  • Contact sports and spectators, no limits with social distancing if outdoors
  • Stadiums – 50% of capacity or 25,000 max, whichever is lower
  • 1 person per 2m2 for smaller businesses (cap of 50)
  • 1 person per 4m2 for casinos / concert venues / theatres
  • Need to ensure social distancing is maintained everywhere – 1.5m between groups of people
  • Borders – QLD is concerned about Victoria, 250 cases in the last 7 days, there is community transmission
  • QLD border will remain closed to Victoria with tougher measures in place from this Friday, 3 July
  • Anyone travelling from VIC (even Queenslanders) from this Friday, 3 July will have to quarantine on arrival for 2 weeks in a hotel at own expense or be turned back
  • QLD is helping VIC get the virus under control but doesn’t want the risk coming here - overall message: Queenslanders do not go to Victoria, Victorians do not come here
  • From Friday July 10, people from TAS, WA, SA, NT, ACT, NSW will be able to travel into QLD again
  • Everyone travelling to QLD will have to fill in a border declaration and obtain a border pass to ensure they haven’t been in VIC in the past 14 days
  • People lying or falsifying info will face significant fines
  • If the Chief Health Officer identifies hotspots with community transmission, they will take similar actions towards those states/areas

The VIC Premier has just announced the following:

  • Lockdowns back in place for 10 postcodes as of Wednesday 11.59pm – 3012, 3021, 3032, 3038, 3042, 3046, 3047, 3055, 3060, 3064 – for 4 weeks
  • People in those postcodes will only have four reasons to leave their homes: for work or school, for care or caregiving, for daily exercise, or to get food and other essentials
  • People outside these postcodes should not enter them unless it is work and only work that needs to be done in person
  • Door-to-door testing will continue throughout suburbs
  • Police will be actively enforcing lockdown in these suburbs in boozebus style set ups and randomly/frequently asking people who are out what they are doing
  • People not following orders will be fined on the spot
  • Businesses and people will be supported by the government in these postcodes
  • VIC Premier has asked to divert all international flights away from Melbourne for 2 weeks, for the purpose of not having any more people entering hotel quarantine in Victoria for the next 2 weeks
  • The outbreak is predominantly linked to staff in hotel quarantine breaching well-known and well-understood infection control protocols. A judicial inquiry will take place to investigate
  • This needs to be done to ensure other areas do not have to be locked down (eg. Melbourne CBD)

Full list of suburbs:

  • Postcode 3012: Brooklyn, Kingville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray.
  • Postcode 3021: Alban Vale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans.
  • Postcode 3032: Ascot Vale, High Point City, Maribyrnong, Travancore.
  • Postcode 3038: Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens.
  • Postcode 3042: Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie.
  • Postcode 3046: Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park.
  • Postcode 3047: Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana.
  • Postcode 3055: Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West.
  • Postcode 3060: Fawkner.
  • Postcode 3064: Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park and Kalkallo.

The Border Restrictions Direction No. 5 (effective 01 May 2020) remains in place as is for QLD.

Currently, under this Direction, QLD residents flying to VIC for work and then returning to QLD are exempt from border restrictions and forced quarantine.

However, the QLD Government may update this and provide a new Direction in the coming days, to reflect the QLD-VIC border closure. This could change the exemption rules but there is no further information available at this time.

QLD has put out a new Direction that will take effect as of this Friday (tomorrow) noon, 10 July 2020.

In brief:

  • It allows people from other states and territories to enter the state without having to undertake mandatory quarantine, provided they:
    • Have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass (must be applied for within 7 days of the travel to QLD), which will include:
      • A declaration that they have not been overseas / a COVID-19 hotspot / had contact with a confirmed case / had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 / been diagnosed with COVID-19
      • Providing personal details including name, date of birth, phone number, address and email address, and where the person intends to stay while in Queensland
    • Provide an undertaking that the person will present for a COVID-19 test if the person develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of entering Queensland

Regarding any travel from any part of Victoria (or other COVID-19 hotspots as they are identified by the QLD Govt):

  • The QLD Govt has hardened their approach with this new border declaration, stating that anyone who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland must not enter Queensland unless they are exempt. Exemptions are specified in the Direction and include QLD residents.
  • QLD residents who have been to VIC may enter the state, provided they undertake mandatory quarantine at a quarantine hotel at their own cost
  • The new Direction appears to have removed construction from what QLD considers ‘essential activity’, meaning that QLD residents who return to QLD after performing construction-related work in VIC would also have to enter mandatory quarantine.
  • This is a significant change to all previous QLD Directions throughout the pandemic in which construction has been considered essential and exempt from mandatory quarantine. I will confirm this once the Border Pass Declaration has been updated with the new particulars as of noon tomorrow.

Just to confirm below, there is now no provision for ‘construction’ or ‘FIFO’ under the exemptions list for people travelling from VIC into QLD. The wording of ‘time critical specialist’ has also been updated which no longer broadly covers people in the construction industry.

People from other states and territories may enter QLD without needing to quarantine now, provided they have a valid border pass and have not been in VIC in the last 14 days (or any of the reasons listed below).

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16 February / COVID-19
[UPDATED] Victorian COVID-19 Management Plan & Documentation (Version 9)

Dear All,

Today the updated COVID-19 Guidelines for the Building and Construction Industry Revision 10 was released.

I have made the appropriate changes to the Victorian COVID-19 Management Plans and have attached it to this email along with the following:

  • Updated Appendix 01 – Self Assessment Flow Chart
  • COVID-19 Guidelines for the Building and Construction Industry Revision 10
  • Explanatory note of changes

*Changes have also been made to the sign in devices to include the updated daily COVID Declaration.

Please ensure that you print our updated COVID-19 Management Plan and have all team members on site sign and acknowledge as we have done with all previous 8 versions. I also ask that you add the amendments as a subject in pre-starts and or toolboxes on your next working day.

Do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or if I can be of assistance to you.

Regards,

Candece Frazzica-Kara
HSE Manager (VIC)

Mobile 0411 022 839
Email Candece.Frazzica-Kara@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au 

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10 February / COVID-19
VIC Contact Tracing Alert

Latest info & COVID-19 case locations in VIC

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies.

Updated: 10 February 2021

Please take the time to review the latest location list below and if you have been at one of the venues at the time identified, inform your Team Leader and make arrangements to be tested.

Check the VIC Government website daily for updated exposure sites.

Anyone who has visited these Tier 1 exposure
sites during these times must immediately isolate, get a coronavirus (COVID-19)
test, and remain isolated for 14 days.

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10 February / COVID-19
Travel for Work

Updated Guidance for Hutchies’ People

With interstate border restrictions continuing to vary as coronavirus outbreaks occur in various part of the country, Hutchies has updated its advice for anyone intending to travel during 2021. This approach is to ensure Hutchies’ people and workplaces are kept as safe as possible.

In the first instance, Hutchies’ people should always follow any State or Territory Directions in place at the time. A summary of current status and useful links can be found on Hutchies’ Toolbox. 

When borders are open and travel is unrestricted, please carefully consider the following prior to making any bookings:

  • Is the travel absolutely essential?  
  • Can the reason for travel instead be facilitated via video conference?
  • Do I need to be physically present for works to progress?
  • Can the outcome be achieved in any other way? 

Work-related travel must be minimised to the greatest extent possible for the foreseeable future. This is especially important given ongoing changes to border restrictions and the risk of further outbreaks – particularly with the highly-contagious new strains of COVID-19.

All travel bookings continue to be monitored. There may be instances where more information is requested about reasons for travel. You may also be asked to get tested after travelling depending on the status of outbreaks.

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8 February / Public Holiday
Royal Hobart Regatta

Monday 8 February 2021 (TAS only)

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4 February / COVID-19
New Victorian Restrictions

Late last night Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews held a press conference as a result of a new potential community transmission case.

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies. 

New restrictions from 11.59pm Wednesday (last night):

  • Reinstate the New Years Eve / Black Rock settings
  • Private gatherings have been limited to 15 people
  • Masks are mandatory in indoor settings
  • The plan to bring back 75% of workers to offices is now paused

Other notes about the case:

  • Worker working in the Australian Open Quarantine Program
  • Now in health hotel and household contacts have been isolated
  • Lasted worked 29 January at the Grand Hyatt, was tested recently with negative results, but developed symptoms
  • 500 Australian Open players and staff have been classed as casual contacts of the worker
  • Still investigating the source of infection, but due to the new strain, being extra precautious
  • New list of exposure sites below – anyone who has been at an exposure site during the time frame, must get tested and isolate for 14 days

Exposure Sites

Anyone who has been at an exposure site listed during the time frame, must get tested and isolate for 14 days:

  • Club Noble in Noble Park from 2:36pm — 3:30pm on January 30
  • Aces Sporting Club (Driving Range) in Keysborough from 10:00pm — 11:15pm on January 30
  • Northpoint Café in Brighton from 8:10am — 9:30am on January 31
  • Kmart in Keysborough from 4:00pm — 5:00pm on January 31
  • Kmart in Brandon Park from 4:35pm — 5:10pm on January 31
  • Coles in Springvale from 5:00pm — 6:00pm on January 31
  • Bunnings in Springvale from 11:30am — 12:15pm on February 1
  • Golf Academy in Heatherton from 5:19pm — 6:30pm on February 1
  • Lululemon, DFO in Moorabbin from 5:00pm — 5:45pm on January 29
  • Woolworths in Springvale from 6.30pm — 7.30pm on January 29
  • Nakama Workshop in Clayton South from 11:15am — 12:00pm on February 1
  • Sharetea in Springvale from 6:45pm — 7:30pm on February 1
  • Kebab Kingz in West Melbourne from 11:24pm — 00:15am on February 1
  • Exford Hotel in Melbourne from 11:00pm — 11:35pm on February 1
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29 January / Quality Alert
Waterproofing External Areas Continual Improvement

A new alert has been published detailing incorrect construction falls and expansion joints in wet areas. Please ensure your review the alert and implement all necessary measures to maintain compliance.

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27 January / Update
Building Quality / Guidance to ensure compliance with NCC & AS

Hutchies has a range of templates and resources on the Document Library to assist with high quality building outcomes. They provide guidance on critical areas of focus that can be used in all states to ensure compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and Australian Standards (AS).

This includes government fact sheets on specific areas regulators are focused on currently during inspections - they are useful on all works nationally.

Please familiarise yourself with these tools and apply them to our projects.

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21 January / COVID-19
Greater Brisbane Update

Restrictions easing from 1am Friday 22 January

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies. 

As there has been no community transmission for a continuous period of 14 days, restrictions for those in Greater Brisbane will be eased as of 1am tomorrow (Friday) morning. 

Restrictions will revert to those in place in December. In summary:

> Masks will no longer be mandatory anywhere, except in airports and on flights. Masks are still encouraged in any situations where physical distancing is not possible

> Gatherings increased to 50 in homes and 100 in public spaces

> Weddings and funerals will be allowed up to 200 people

> Standing up as well as dancing will be allowed across all venues and events so long as they follow the one person per 2m2 rule

> 100% capacity will be allowed at allocated seating venues (such as stadiums)

Please continue to remain vigilant and get tested when symptoms occur.

For more information, check out the updated Queensland Roadmap:

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26 January / Public Holiday
Australia Day Holiday

National public holiday for Australia Day (Tuesday 26 January)

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