COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 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.
ASIC Corporations (Amendment) Instrument 2020/290
- Implements equivalent temporary measures in relation to offers of shares and interests under purchase plans covered by the ASIC Corporations (Share and Interest Purchase Plans) Instrument 2019/547.
ASIC Corporations (Trading Suspensions Relief) Instrument 2020/289
- Implements equivalent temporary measures in relation to offers of shares and interests under purchase plans covered by the ASIC Corporations (Share and Interest Purchase Plans) Instrument 2019/547.
Biosecurity (Exit Requirements) Amendment (Nauru) Determination 2020
- Sets requirements for individuals or any class of individuals exiting Australian territory, to prevent a listed human disease from spreading to other countries listed in the Determination.
Child Care Subsidy Amendment (Coronavirus Response Measures No. 2) Minister’s Rules 2020
- Prescribes further circumstances, conditions and period during which an approved child care provider is not required to enforce the payment of child care gap fees from parents under section 201B of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999.
Medical and Midwife Indemnity Legislation Amendment (Eligible Run-off Claims) Rules 2020
- Allows retired doctors to retain their eligibility under the Run-Off Cover scheme for prior practice.
Medical Indemnity Amendment (Eligible Run-off Claims) Regulations 2020
- Supports the availability of medical services by providing Commonwealth assistance to support access by medical practitioners to arrangements that indemnify them for claims arising in relation to their practice of their medical professions.
- Provides a pathway for certain former and current holders of temporary visas to remain in Australia.
- Temporarily exempts licensees from certain responsible lending obligations, where a consumer seeks credit or goods under a consumer lease for purposes that include operating a small business.
National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2020 (No.2)
- Makes changes to the pharmaceutical benefits eligible to be provided as a Continued Dispensing supply.
Part 101 Manual of Standards (Extensions of Time Due to COVID-19) Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 1)
- Defers for 6 months the 10 April 2020 take effect date for most of the provisions in the Part 101 (Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets) Manual of Standards 2019, in particular those relating to training course.
Poisons Standard Amendment (Hydroxychloroquine and Salbutamol) Instrument 2020
- Amends the Poisons Standard February 2020 in relation to the substances, hydroxychloroquine and salbutamol, principally to ensure the continued availability of medicines containing these substances in Australia during the public health emergency caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.
Poisons Standard Amendment (Hydroxychloroquine) Instrument 2020
- Amends the Poisons Standard February 2020 to (among other things) allow dental practitioners who are registered specialists in oral medicine to authorise the supply of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of patients.
- Exempts certain medicines containing hydroxychloroquine sulfate or chloroquine phosphate from the operation of Division 2 of Part 3-2 of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
Therapeutic Goods (Medicines - Lopinavir and Ritonavir) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020
- Exempts certain medicines containing lopinavir and ritonavir in combination from the operation of Division 2 of Part 3-2 of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
Therapeutic Goods (Medicines - Remdesivir) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020
- Exempts certain medicines containing remdesivir from the operation of Division 2 of Part 3-2 of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
Veterans' Entitlements (Provisional Access to Medical Treatment) Amendment Determination 2020
- Extends the intake period of the Provisional Access to Medical Treatment Trial by 3 months and the closing date of the provision of treatment under the Trial by six months.
National Heavy Vehicle Work Diary (COVID-19 Relief) Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)
- Allows a driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle who is unable to use the driver’s written work diary because it is filled up, destroyed, lost or stolen and is unable to get a replacement work diary due to service disruptions created by COVID-19 to use supplementary records for up to 30 days.
Public Health (Closure of Non-Essential Business or Undertaking) Emergency Direction 2020 (No 4)
- Prohibits the operation of non-essential businesses and undertakings in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Public Health (Emergency) Declaration Further Extension 2020 (No 8)
- Further extends the period during which the Public Health (Emergency) Declaration 2020 (No 1) is in force.
Public Health (Returned Travellers) Emergency Direction 2020 (No 3)
- Limits the spread of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2020
- Prescribes certain classes of inmates as eligible for release on parole by the Commissioner of Corrective Services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Environmental Planning and Assessment (COVID-19 Development - Construction Work Days) Order 2020
- Facilitates social distancing by spreading construction work over more days in a week.
Environmental Planning and Assessment (COVID-19 Development - Health Services Facilities) Order 2020
- Facilitates the use of buildings or places as health services premises and allows health services facilities under construction to be completed sooner.
- Allows greater access to food and beverages on a takeaway basis.
- Allows workers at the Bayswater and Liddell power stations to be isolated in separate accommodation.
National Heavy Vehicle Work Diary (COVID-19 Relief) Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)
- Allows a driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle who is unable to use the driver’s written work diary because it is filled up, destroyed, lost or stolen and is unable to get a replacement work diary due to service disruptions created by COVID-19 to use supplementary records for up to 30 days.
Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Restricted Substances) Regulation 2020
- Requires special authorisation to prescribe, supply or administer hydroxychloroquine, and enables pharmacists to supply certain medicines in different ways than specified in prescriptions if those medicines are in short supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation and Maritime Quarantine) Amendment Order 2020
- Deals with the public health risk of COVID-19 and its possible consequences.
Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Amendment Order 2020
- Enables truck drivers and their passengers to use truck stop facilities, excludes persons involved in conducting funerals from the 10-person limit, enables services at places of worship to be recorded, enables caravan parks and camping grounds to be used by certain persons, and enables an auction for food supply or a fibre or crop auction to be conducted.
Disaster Management (Extension of Disaster Situation - COVID-19) Regulation 2020
- Extends the period of a disaster situation declared for the whole of the State of Queensland for a period of not more than 14 days.
National Heavy Vehicle Work Diary (COVID-19 Relief) Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)
- Allows a driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle who is unable to use the driver’s written work diary because it is filled up, destroyed, lost or stolen and is unable to get a replacement work diary due to service disruptions created by COVID-19 to use supplementary records for up to 30 days.
Notice of Declaration of Disaster Situation
- Declares a disaster situation.
Public Health (Emergency Officers (General)) Amendment Regulation 2020
- Provides additional operational flexibility to respond to COVID-19 and any future declared public health emergencies, by expanding the persons who may be appointed as emergency officers (general) under the Public Health Act 2005.
Declaration of a Notifiable and a Controlled Notifiable Condition
- Declares human coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to be a notifiable and a controlled notifiable condition.
Electronic Participation in Council Meetings Notice (No 1) 2020
- Varies or suspends the operation of certain provisions of the Local Government Act 1999 and Local Government (Procedures at Meetings) Regulations 2013 subject to conditions.
Extension of a Major Emergency Declaration
- Extends the Declaration of a Major Emergency for a period of 28 days, commencing at 1300 hours on 4 April 2020.
National Heavy Vehicle Work Diary (COVID-19 Relief) Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)
- Allows a driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle who is unable to use the driver’s written work diary because it is filled up, destroyed, lost or stolen and is unable to get a replacement work diary due to service disruptions created by COVID-19 to use supplementary records for up to 30 days.
Directions Under Section 16 of the Public Health Act 1997
- Restricts the operation of certain premises and mass gatherings, and directs persons to remain at their primary residence except for certain purposes.
Direction Under Section 16 of the Public Health Act 1997
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and services, and certain gatherings, to manage the threat to public health posed by COVID-19.
National Heavy Vehicle Work Diary (COVID-19 Relief) Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)
- Allows a driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle who is unable to use the driver’s written work diary because it is filled up, destroyed, lost or stolen and is unable to get a replacement work diary due to service disruptions created by COVID-19 to use supplementary records for up to 30 days.
Notice Under Section 17 of the COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020
- Declares that any action required to be taken under certain provisions by means of a physical action such as a signature or personal service, or evidenced in a document that is not an electronic document, may be taken or evidenced by means of an electronic signature or signatures, or an electronic document, respectively.
- Declares that certain meetings may be held in an approved manner in certain circumstances, and that a provision for public exhibition of documents or information may be satisfied if the document or information is available on the local council website or in hard copy on request.
Notice Under Section 23 of the COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020
- Declares that certain fees are not payable.
Public Health (Infringement Notices) Amendment Regulations 2020
- Prescribes a failure to comply with a direction of the Director under Section 16(3) of the Public Health Act 1997 as an offence, and the relevant penalty for the offence.
Section 15 Extension of Emergency Declaration
- Declares that a public health emergency still exists and is in force until midnight 7 April 2020.
Taxation and Related Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2020
- Extends the First Home Owner Grant for newly constructed dwellings, provides for payroll tax to be waived for certain businesses, and provides businesses with a one year payroll tax rebate for certain new youth employees.
National Heavy Vehicle Work Diary (COVID-19 Relief) Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)
- Allows a driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle who is unable to use the driver’s written work diary because it is filled up, destroyed, lost or stolen and is unable to get a replacement work diary due to service disruptions created by COVID-19 to use supplementary records for up to 30 days.
Public Health Emergency Orders
- Enables persons in Victoria to obtain Schedule 4 poison directly from a pharmacist, in certain circumstances, and removes the requirement for a registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner to apply for a Schedule 8 permit in certain circumstances.
Restricted Activity Directions
- Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Stay at Home Directions (No. 2)
- Requires everyone in Victoria to limit their interactions with other by restricting the circumstances in which they may leave their residence, and placing restrictions on gatherings.
Criminal Code Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020
- Introduces higher maximum penalties for the offences of serious assault and threats committed in the context of COVID-19.
Emergency Management Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020
- Introduces new provisions into the emergency management framework to strengthen the State’s capacity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and similar events in the future, and remove barriers that are impeding the COVID-19 response.
Emergency Management Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2020
- Amends the Emergency Management Regulations 2006.
Extension of Declaration (No. 2) of Public Health State of Emergency
- Extends the public health state of emergency declaration for 14 days.
Family Violence Legislation Reform (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020
- Implements reforms that will assist in the justice system’s preparedness and response to the spread of COVID-19.
Transport (Road Passenger Services) Amendment (COVID-19 Response and Regional Assistance) Act 2020
- Provides for assistance payment for specified transport industry participants and certain former holder of regional taxi-car licences.
COVID-19 Response (Taxation and Social Assistance Urgent Measures) Act 2020
- Makes changes to provide relief to those that have been economically affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, and to address the broader economic impacts of the outbreak.
COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Legislation Act 2020
- Puts in place the necessary arrangements to implement COVID-19 Alert Level 4, or where arrangements are essential to respond effectively to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Declaration by Minister Extending State of National Emergency
- Further extends the state of national emergency until 12:21 pm, Wednesday 15 April 2020.
- Protects persons from possible injury from electricity through New Zealand District Health Boards’ (DHBs) use of certain residual current devices in medical installations, required by DHBs in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Protects persons from possible injury from electricity through New Zealand District Health Boards’ (DHBs) use of certain residual current devices in medical installations, required by DHBs in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Section 70(1)(f) Health Act Order
- Orders certain persons to be isolated or quarantine.
FROM THE REGULATORS
AMSA:
- Advice to the Maritime Industry
- Extension of Time for Certificate Renewals During COVID-19 Pandemic
- What we are Doing to Support the Maritime Industry
Australian Building and Construction Commission:
Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation:
CASA:
- CASA Assistance to Organisations Involved in the Continuing Airworthiness of Aircraft During COVID-19
- More time to Transition to Fatigue Rules
- Proposed Changes to Pilot and Engineer Exams During COVID-19
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft Registration and Accreditation - Further Assistance for Industry
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment:
Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources:
NHVR:
Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner:
Department of Health:
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment:
Department of Primary Industries:
EPA:
Local Land Services:
SafeWork NSW:
Transport for NSW:
Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority:
Department of Primary Industries and Resources:
NT Government:
Department of Environment and Science:
Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy:
Maritime Safety Queensland:
Queensland Government:
Queensland Rail:
State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning:
WorkSafe QLD:
Department of Energy and Mining:
EPA:
Essential Services Commission:
SafeWork SA:
WorkSafe TAS:
Agriculture Victoria:
Department of Health and Human Services:
- Advice for Doctors Prescribing Schedule 8 Medications During COVID-19 Crisis
- Advice to Pharmacists Supplying Medicines to People Affected by COVID-19
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions:
Department of Transport:
Essential Services Commission:
Victorian Building Authority:
WorkSafe Victoria:
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions:
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation:
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety:
- DMIRS Regional Office Counter Service Changes
- DMIRS Works with Stakeholders on COVID-19 Coronavirus
- Stay Informed about COVID-19 Coronavirus
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development:
Department of Transport:
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation:
Radiological Council:
WA Government:
WorkCover WA:
Department of Conservation:
Employment NZ:
Manatu Taonga - Ministry for Culture and Heritage:
Ministry for Primary Industries:
Ministry for the Environment:
Ministry of Health:
NZ Government:
- COVID-19: Further Steps to Protect New Zealanders’ Jobs
- COVID-19 Mental Health Support Begins
- Further Measures to Support Businesses
- Govt WhatsApp Helps Share COVID-19 Information
- Work starts on Ways to Fast-Track Consents to Boost Recovery from Covid-19 Downturn
NZ Transport Agency:
That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 15 April 2020.
