From the Secretariat (Issue 111)

Update – COVID-19

DR ELIZABETH GIBSON, General Manager of CMPA provides a COVID-19 update.

I hope all is travelling well with everyone. It appears that COVID-19 is going to be with us for a while and so we need to follow advice given by the Government carefully. The growing number of COVID-19 cases is a little alarming in metropolitan Melbourne and the Shire of Mitchell giving the appearance of a “second-wave”. At the time of writing the number of cases reported for the day 23 July 2020 was 403. As far as is known, no quarries have had outbreaks of COVID-19 in Victoria, though there have been some in the construction industry (49 cases since 20 March 2020).

As such a range of restrictions have been reintroduced/put in place:

• Stage 4 lock down for metropolitan Melbourne, Stage 3 lock down for regional Victoria;
• Face masks for those 12 years and older must be worn throughout Victoria;
• Social distancing as per https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au required throughout Victoria/Australia.

Advice has been received from WorkSafe regarding face masks which can be found at: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/managingcoronavirus-covid-19-risks-face-coverings-workplaces and at the Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-coverings-1159pm-wednesday-22-july

Note that masks that incorporate an exhaust valve are not recommended. A lot of P2 masks for dust use have a valve, although as a COVID risk control these should not be worn.

There has been much talk in the media regarding the introduction of stage 4 restrictions. As yet, no advice has been received with respect to the impact of Stage 4 restrictions on the extractive industry if they were to be introduced but CMPA will alert Members as soon as information is received.

• The Australian Government is extending Job Keeper Payments and the Coronavirus Supplement for those impacted by COVID-19 https://www.australia.gov.au/jobkeeper-payment-and-coronavirus-supplement-extended

Job Keeper Payments will be extended by six months to 28 March 2021, and the Coronavirus Supplement will be extended until 31 December 2020. Both payments will have adjusted rates and people must meet eligibility requirements, some of which will be updated.

These payments are also available to new eligible participants. If you already get the Job Keeper Payment or the Coronavirus Supplement, there is nothing you need to do right now.

Stay safe and well everyone.

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