COVID-19 Retailer Resource Hub

What do I need to do to reopen?

Current restrictions

New South Wales have moved to the restrictions as outlined on their 80% roadmap from Monday, 18 October 2021.

You are fully vaccinated if you have had 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccination or you have a medical exemption.

Children under 16 years of age who are not fully vaccinated can generally follow the rules for fully vaccinated people so long as they visit certain businesses with a fully vaccinated member of your household.

For people over the age of 16 who are not fully vaccinated, more rules and restrictions apply.

You are not fully vaccinated if you have had:

only one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination or
no doses of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Below, we break down the restrictions for businesses, fully vaccinated people and non-vaccinated/partially vaccinated people.

BUSINESS RULES FOR NSW at 80% DOUBLE DOSE ROADMAP

Masks, COVID-19 Safe Check-in, and vaccination evidence

Masks

All people over the age of 12 must wear a face mask:

in indoor areas (e.g. while shopping, when at a library)
in indoor areas of common property of apartment buildings
at a public transport waiting area
while on public transport
if you are working at a hospitality venue and dealing directly with members of the public
on an aircraft when the aircraft is flying above NSW and in the airport.

Exemptions are available. Learn more about face mask rules.

COVID-19 safe check in

Occupiers of premises are required to continue to take reasonable steps to ensure people can check-in or provide their contact details to when they enter your premises.

If you are entering a premises where check-in is required, you must:

check in with the Service.NSW app
provide your details to the occupier of the premises.

Learn more about COVID-19 Safe Check-in.

Vaccination evidence

Vaccination evidence includes:

linking your COVID-19 digital certificate to your check in so that your vaccination status is disclosed on the Service.NSW app
an online immunisation history statement
a COVID-19 digital certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register
a medical exemption, which includes either:
- a medical contraindication certificate or
- a medical clearance form.

A person who is required to be fully vaccinated to enter premises must:

Carry their vaccination evidence.
Produce the evidence if requested to do so by a police officer or authorised officer.

If you are required to be fully vaccinated to enter a premises, you may be asked to produce your vaccination evidence by the occupier. We encourage you to comply with an occupier’s request.

You do not have to produce your vaccination evidence to the occupier, however, the occupier may refuse entry to you if you do not produce your vaccination evidence.

People who provide an emergency service are able to enter premises if they are not fully vaccinated and are at the premises to provide an emergency service.

Shopping and personal services

Premises that remain closed

The following businesses and premises in NSW must remain closed to the public:

amusement centres, such as places to play billiards, pool, pinball machines or video games
play centres
strip clubs
public swimming pools in indoor areas, except if they are used to conduct swimming lessons, lap swimming, squad training and rehabilitation activities.

Retail, products and services

Retail premises and businesses that provide goods or services can open and resume in store services to customers.

Rules for business
- Follow the rules for re-opening:
  - follow the vaccination rules for business
  - have and comply with a COVID-19 Safety plan
  - ensure all people who enter the retail premises or business check in with the Service.NSW app or provide contact details to the occupier
  - follow the capacity rules:
    - for indoor areas, 1 person per 4 square metres
    - for outdoor areas, 1 person per 2 square metres
  - follow the face masks rules.

Hairdressers, beauty salons and massage premises

Hairdressers, spas, nail salons, beauty salons, waxing salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlours and massage parlours can open.

Rules for business
- Follow the rules for re-opening:
  - follow the vaccination rules for business
  - have and comply with a COVID-19 Safety plan
  - ensure all people who enter the hospitality venue check in with the Service.NSW app or provide contact details to the occupier
  - follow the capacity rules:
    - - for indoor areas - 1 person per 4 square metres of space on the premises
  - staff who work indoors must wear face masks.

Restaurants and hospitality

Hospitality premises, such as casinos, restaurants, cafes, food courts, take away food and drink premises, kiosks, micro-breweries or small distilleries, cellar doors, pubs, registered clubs, small bars and nighclubs can re-open to customers to consume food and beverages on premises.

Rules for business
- Occupiers of hospitality premises must:
  - follow the vaccination rules for business
  - have and comply with a COVID-19 Safety plan
  - ensure all people who enter the hospitality venue check in with the Service.NSW app or provide contact details to the occupier
  - follow the capacity rules:
    - for indoor areas, 1 person per 4 square metres of space
    - for outdoor areas, 1 person per 2 square metres of space
  - staff who are in customer-facing roles must wear face masks
  - no bookings for groups of more than 20 people, unless the booking is for a significant event, such as a wedding or funeral.
  - People who are fully vaccinated may stand while consuming alcohol.
  - For nightclubs that are reopening, people must remain seated to consume alcohol in indoor areas. No dancing is permitted in an indoor area.

Work

The rules for work change on Monday 11 October 2021:

a travel registration is not required
you can work anywhere in NSW
if a workplace can open, it may need to follow the rules for COVID-19 Safe Check in
vaccination rules for business may apply. The vaccination rules for business are different for businesses in Greater Sydney and regional and rural NSW.

Rules for businesses and workplaces in Greater Sydney

In Greater Sydney (including Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas), employers must allow an employee who is fully vaccinated to work from home if is reasonably practicable to do so.

Employers must require an employee who is not fully vaccinated to work from home unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so.

If your employees are not fully vaccinated, they can only work away from their home if:

it is not reasonably practicable for them to work from home; and
the premises they work at does not require them to be fully vaccinated.

If your employees cannot reasonably work from home:

they can now work anywhere in NSW, subject to vaccination rules
travel registrations are not required
follow the face mask rules
follow the vaccination rules for business, depending on your business premises
follow the COVID-19 Safe Check-in rules, depending on your business premises.

Rules for businesses and workplaces in regional and rural NSW

These rules apply to businesses in regional and rural NSW (which excludes Greater Sydney and the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas).

People who live in regional and rural NSW have until 1 November 2021 to be fully vaccinated. Some industries already require staff to be fully vaccinated. Those rules continue to apply to those industries. Follow the rules for vaccination for workers.

For staff with one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

If your staff member has had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine you must allow them to work from home if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Your staff can attend your workplace if they are required to attend and are required to be fully vaccinated if:

your workplace is outside Greater Sydney
your staff member resides outside Greater Sydney and
has had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 11 October 2021 and is fully vaccinated by 1 November 2021.

For staff with no doses of a COVID-19 vaccine

If your staff member has not had any doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, you must require them to work from home unless it is not reasonably practicable.

If your staff member has not had any doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and it is not reasonably practicable for them to work from home, they cannot go to work if they are required to be vaccinated.

For the rules and restrictions for other business types, please visit the New South Wales government website.

RULES FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE (AND EXEMPT PEOPLE) IN NSW at 80% DOUBLE DOSE ROADMAP

Masks, COVID-19 Safe Check-in, and vaccination evidence

Masks

All people over the age of 12 must wear a face mask:

in indoor areas (e.g. while shopping, when at a library)
in indoor areas of common property of apartment buildings
at a public transport waiting area
while on public transport
if you are working at a hospitality venue and dealing directly with members of the public
on an aircraft when the aircraft is flying above NSW and in the airport.

Exemptions are available. Learn more about face mask rules.

COVID-19 safe check in

Occupiers of premises are required to continue to take reasonable steps to ensure people can check-in or provide their contact details to when they enter your premises.

If you are entering a premises where check-in is required, you must:

check in with the Service.NSW app
provide your details to the occupier of the premises.

Learn more about COVID-19 Safe Check-in.

Vaccination evidence

Vaccination evidence includes:

an online immunisation history statement
a COVID-19 digital certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register
a medical exemption, which includes either:
- a medical contraindication certificate or
- a medical clearance form.

The NSW government is working to ensure you can access your vaccination evidence in the Service NSW app.

A person who is required to be fully vaccinated to enter premises must:

Carry their vaccination evidence
Produce the evidence if requested to do so by a police officer or authorised officer.

If you are required to be fully vaccinated to enter a premises, you may be asked to produce your vaccination evidence by the occupier. We encourage you to comply with an occupier’s request.

You do not have to produce your vaccination evidence to the occupier, however, the occupier may refuse entry to you if you do not produce your vaccination evidence.

Visiting family and friends

Place of residence

The rules for visiting a place of residence have changed.

If all members of the household who are aged 16 years or over are fully vaccinated, you can have up to 20 fully vaccinated visitors to your place of residence.

You cannot have a person aged over 16 years who is not fully vaccinated visit your place of residence, except in limited circumstances.

People under 12 are not counted as visitors.

Even if you are fully vaccinated, you must not visit a place of residence if:

any person at the place of residence who is aged over 16 years and is not fully vaccinated
if there are more than 19 other visitors at the place of residence
if any of the visitors at a place of residence who are aged over 16 years are not fully vaccinated.

Workers are not counted as visitors. Workers are authorised to visit homes whether or not they or the household are fully vaccinated.

Sport and exercise

General rules

Sport and exercise options are significantly greater for people who are fully vaccinated.

If you are fully vaccinated you can participate in an outdoor sport and exercise gathering of up to 50 people.

Gyms and indoor recreation facilities

Gyms and indoor recreation facilities, such as a squash court, table tennis centre, health studio, bowling alley, and ice rink can open.

Up to 20 people can attend a group class at the gym or a dance class at an indoor recreation facility.

Indoor swimming pools can open for swimming classes, lap swimming, squad training and rehabilitation activities.

If you are fully vaccinated you can visit a gym or indoor recreation facility. You must:

carry vaccination evidence with you and produce it for inspection to a police officer or authorised officer if requested
check in with the Service NSW app or provide your contact details to the occupier
follow the face mask rules.

If you are fully vaccinated you can dance at a dance class, in a performance, rehearsal, or as part of a group class at a gym or dance class at an indoor recreation facility.

Recreation facilities

Recreation facilities such as zoos, aquariums, sports stadiums, showgrounds, racecourses, motor racing tracks and theme parks, can open.

If you are fully vaccinated, you can visit a recreation facility. You must:

carry vaccination evidence with you and produce it for inspection to a police officer or authorised officer if requested;
check in with the Service NSW app or provide your contact details to the occupier
follow the face mask rules.

Outdoor gatherings

If you are fully vaccinated, you can participate in an outdoor gathering of up to 50 people, for example, for outdoor recreation such as a picnic.

Outdoor events

Outdoor events and gatherings can take place in NSW.

If you are fully vaccinated, you can attend an outdoor event, so long as the capacity limit is not exceeded. You must:

carry vaccination evidence with you and produce it for inspection to a police officer or authorised officer if requested
check in with the Service.NSW app or provide your contact details to the occupier.

Schools

Schools can open and teaching can resume face-to-face.

Follow the rules for schools at the Department of Education.

Shopping and personal services

Premises that remain closed

The following businesses and premises in NSW must remain closed to the public:

amusement centres, such as places to play billiards, pool, pinball machines or video games
play centres
strip clubs
public swimming pools in indoor areas, except if they are used to conduct swimming lessons, lap swimming, squad training and rehabilitation activities.

Retail, products and services

Retail premises and businesses that provide goods or services can open and resume in store services to customers.

If you are fully vaccinated you can visit a retail premises or business that provides goods and services. You must:

carry vaccination evidence with you and produce it for inspection to a police officer or authorised officer if requested;
check in with the Service NSW app or provide your contact details to the occupier
follow the face mask rules.

Hairdressers, beauty salons and massage premises

Hairdressers, spas, nail salons, beauty salons, waxing salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlours and massage parlours can open.

If you are fully vaccinated you can visit a hairdresser, beauty salon or massage premises. You must:

carry vaccination evidence with you and produce it for inspection to a police officer or authorised officer if requested
check in with the Service NSW app or provide your contact details to the occupier
follow the face mask rules.

Restaurants and hospitality

Hospitality premises, such as casinos, restaurants, cafes, function centres, food courts, take away food and drink premises, kiosks, micro-breweries or small distilleries, cellar doors, pubs, registered clubs, small bars and nightclubs can re-open to customers to consume food and beverages on premises.

If you are fully vaccinated you can visit a hospitality venue. You must:

carry vaccination evidence with you and produce it for inspection to a police officer or authorised officer if requested
check in with the Service NSW app or provide your contact details to the occupier
follow the face mask rules.

People who are fully vaccinated can now stand while consuming alcohol.

For nightclubs that are reopening, people must remain seated to consume alcohol in indoor areas. No dancing is permitted in an indoor area.

For the full list of rules for fully vaccinated people, please visit the New South Wales government website.

RULES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED at 80% DOUBLE DOSE ROADMAP

Masks, COVID-19 Safe Check-in, and vaccination evidence

Masks

All people over the age of 12 must wear a face mask:

in indoor areas (e.g. while shopping, when at a library)
in indoor areas of common property of apartment buildings
at a public transport waiting area
while on public transport
if you are working at a hospitality venue and dealing directly with members of the public
on an aircraft when the aircraft is flying above NSW and in the airport.

Exemptions are available. Learn more about face mask rules.

COVID-19 safe check in

Occupiers of premises are required to continue to take reasonable steps to ensure people can check-in or provide their contact details to when they enter your premises.

If you are entering a premises where check-in is required, you must:

check in with the Service.NSW app
provide your details to the occupier of the premises.

Learn more about COVID-19 Safe Check-in.

Vaccination evidence

Vaccination evidence includes:

an online immunisation history statement
a COVID-19 digital certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register
a medical exemption, which includes either:
- a medical contraindication certificate or
- a medical clearance form.

The NSW government is working to ensure you can access your vaccination evidence in the Service NSW app.

A person who is required to be fully vaccinated to enter premises must:

Carry their vaccination evidence
Produce the evidence if requested to do so by a police officer or authorised officer.

If you are required to be fully vaccinated to enter a premises, you may be asked to produce your vaccination evidence by the occupier. We encourage you to comply with an occupier’s request.

You do not have to produce your vaccination evidence to the occupier, however, the occupier may refuse entry to you if you do not produce your vaccination evidence.

Visiting family and friends

Place of residence

The rules for visiting a place of residence have changed.

If you are over the age of 16 years and are not fully vaccinated you cannot visit another person’s place of residence, except in limited circumstances.

You can visit someone at their home, and have someone visit your home for the purposes of:

work
helping someone move house
childcare
giving effect to new or existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children or siblings for children who do not live in the same household as a parent or sibling of the child
because of an emergency or to avoid an injury, illness or risk of harm
to view or inspect property to lease or purchase it, but only in compliance with specific rules on property inspections
caring or compassionate reasons.

Anyone under the age of 16 who is not fully vaccinated is not subject to these restrictions and may:

visit homes if everyone in the home aged 16 years and older is fully vaccinated; and
be visited in their homes if everyone aged 16 years and older in their home is fully vaccinated.

Caring and compassionate visits

If you are not fully vaccinated you are allowed to visit a home – and have a person visit your home – for caring and compassionate reasons including:

for carer’s responsibilities
providing care or assistance to vulnerable people
visiting a person you are in a relationship with but do not live with.

Sport and exercise

General rules

Sport and exercise options are significantly greater for people who are fully vaccinated.

People who are fully vaccinated can participate in an outdoor sport and exercise gathering of up to 50 people.

If you are not fully vaccinated you can participate in a gathering for sport or exercise with one other person or with your household.

Gyms and indoor recreation facilities

Gyms and indoor recreation facilities, such as a squash court, table tennis centre, health studio, bowling alley, and ice rink can open.

If you are not fully vaccinated you cannot visit a gym or indoor recreation facility.

Recreation facilities

Recreation facilities such as zoos, aquariums, sports stadiums, showgrounds, racecourses, motor racing tracks and theme parks, can open.

If you are not fully vaccinated you cannot visit a recreation facility.

Outdoor gatherings

Up to 50 people can participate in an outdoor gathering, for example, for outdoor recreation such as a picnic.

If you are not fully vaccinated you can gather with one other person or with your household.

Outdoor events

Outdoor events and gatherings can take place in NSW.

If you are not fully vaccinated you cannot attend an outdoor event.

Schools

Schools can open and teaching can resume face-to-face.

Follow the rules for schools at the Department of Education.

Shopping and personal services

Premises that remain closed

The following businesses and premises in NSW must remain closed to the public:

amusement centres, such as places to play billiards, pool, pinball machines or video games
play centres
strip clubs
public swimming pools in indoor areas, except if they are used to conduct swimming lessons, lap swimming, squad training and rehabilitation activities.

Retail, products and services

Retail premises and businesses that provide goods or services can open and resume in store services to customers.

If you are not fully vaccinated

If you are not fully vaccinated, you can only visit critical retail premises. These are:

supermarkets
grocery stores
shops that mainly sell food or drinks, like butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable shops, and delicatessens
kiosks
petrol stations
banks and financial institutions
hardware and building supplies
landscaping material supplies
rural supplies
shops that mainly sell:
- pet supplies
- newspapers, magazines or stationary (for example, newsagents)
- office supplies
- maternity or baby supplies
- medical or pharmaceutical supplies (for example, chemists)
- alcohol (for example, liquor stores)
post offices
garden centres and plant nurseries
vehicle hire businesses but not businesses that sell vehicles
shops that mainly carry out repairs of mobile phones
laundromats and drycleaners.

For any other retail premises, or a business that provides goods or services, you can only visit these premises if the business chooses to offer Click-and-Collect.

If you visit critical retail premises, you must:

check in with the Service NSW app or provide your contact details to the occupier
follow the face mask rules.

People who provide an emergency service are able to enter premises if they are not fully vaccinated and are at the premises to provide an emergency service.

Hairdressers, beauty salons and massage premises

Hairdressers, spas, nail salons, beauty salons, waxing salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlours and massage parlours can open.

If you are not fully vaccinated you cannot visit a retail hairdresser, beauty salon or massage premises.

Restaurants and hospitality

If you are not fully vaccinated you cannot visit a hospitality venue except for take away.

For the full list of rules for not fully vaccinated people, please visit the New South Wales government website.

VICTORIA

METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE

Metropolitan Melbourne is under lockdown until 70% of the population have had both doses of the vaccine, which has been confirmed for 11:59pm, Thursday 21 October 2021. You can view the upcoming freedoms as per 70% roadmap HERE.

In the meantime, there are only six reasons to leave home:

Getting the food and supplies you need,
Exercising for up to two hours (increases to four hours from 11:59pm Friday 17 September),
Care or caregiving,
Authorized work or education if you cannot do it from home,
To get vaccinated at the nearest possible location.
Outdoor social interaction for up to four hours* (from 11:59pm Friday 17 September 2021).

*Outdoor social interaction means that one person may meet another person not from their household for a picnic, a walk, or another outdoor activity. Additionally, up to five adults (plus dependents) from a maximum of two households will be able to gather outdoors if all adults present have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Shopping and exercise must be done within 10km of your home or the nearest location.

Exercise will be limited to just you and one other person, plus dependents if they cannot be left at home. If you live in a larger household such as a sharehouse, or with extended family, you can no longer exercise with all members of your household. From 11:59pm Friday 17 September 2021, two people will be able to train outdoors with a personal trainer.

Face masks will remain mandatory indoors (not at home) and outdoors unless an exception applies – this includes all workplaces and secondary schools. From 11:59pm Friday 8 October 2021, people will be able to remove their masks to drink alcoholic beverages outdoors.

Private gatherings are not permitted except for an intimate partner or nominated person visits. Public gatherings are not permitted, and exercise is limited to two people.

Childcare and Early Childhood Care will remain open. Schools will close, with primary and secondary school students returning to remote learning – except for vulnerable children, and the children of authorised workers who can learn on site.

From 11:59pm Thursday, 2 September 2021, playgrounds will re-open – with strict rules to keep everyone safe. Playgrounds will be for children under 12 with only one parent or carer, and adults should not remove their masks to eat or drink. Playgrounds will also have QR codes for checking in.

In-home care – like babysitters – will also be expanded to school aged children but only if both parents are authorized workers.

At large scale construction sites, staffing must reduce to 25 percent or 5 workers on site, whichever is higher.

Construction workers will now not be able to cross the metropolitan-regional boundary for work. Tea rooms will need to close and food or drink will not be able to be consumed indoors at work. Worker shift bubbles must be in practice and all sites will require a COVIDSafe Marshal on site.

Up to five people will be able to attend an entertainment venue or physical recreation facility to broadcast a performance, class, or concert.

Authorised Worker Permits

Permits will be required to leave the house for authorized work for Metropolitan Melbourne and Shepparton.

Authorised workers will be required to carry permits when working, and when travelling for work, from 11:59pm Tuesday 17 August 2021. The permits need to be certified by an employer. Permits will be available on the coronavirus website before these directions come into effect.

Permits will also need to be carried by higher education students who are on the Authorised Provider list.

Curfew Imposed During Lockdown

A curfew that restricts Metropolitan Melbourne residents from leaving the home between 9pm and 5am will be imposed from 11:59pm Monday 16 August 2021 until the population reaches 70% of the first dose of vaccine, at 11:59pm Thursday 21 October 2021.

Metropolitan Melbourne includes: Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Darebin, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Manningham, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Melton, Monash, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Whittlesea, Wyndham (except little River), Yarra City, Yarra Ranges.

Masks

Anyone 12 years and over must wear a fitted face mask whenever they leave their home, indoors or outdoors, unless a lawful exception applies.
Face masks do not need to be worn indoors or outdoors if you are working alone unless another person enters that indoor or outdoor space.
You can remove your mask in a public place when consuming food, medicine or non-alcoholic drinks.
- From 11:59pm Friday 8 October, you may remove your mask outdoors to consume alcohol.
Face masks are recommended for primary school aged children, but they are not mandatory.

RETAIL TRADE RESTRICTIONS DURING LOCKDOWN

Non-essential retail will not be permitted to open. Essential providers are classed as:

a supermarket, grocery store, bakery, butcher, fruit and vegetable store or fishmonger
an indoor or outdoor market, but only to obtain groceries or fresh food
a restaurant, café, pub, bar or hotel, whether licensed or unlicensed, but only to the extent that: (a) it provides takeaway meals or drinks or a meal delivery service; or (b) it provides food or drink to the homeless
a bottle shop
a financial institution
consular and diplomatic services; or g. court, tribunal or commission services
a post office
a news agent
a pharmacy
a petrol station (including a petrol station that sells groceries)
vehicle and mechanical repair services
a pet store or veterinary clinic
urgent services necessary for the health and safety of any person, animal or premises
essential child protection activities
a childcare or family day care provider
a school, but only to the extent that education services are provided to the child of an essential worker or to vulnerable children
a ‘click and collect’ service.

If you work at an essential provider, you are classified as an essential worker and can attend work.

Cafes and restaurants will only be able to offer take-away and delivery services.

REGIONAL VICTORIA RESTRICTIONS (EXCEPT LOCKED DOWN AREAS)

Lockdown restrictions will be lifted in regional Victoria from 11:59pm Thursday 9 September 2021, meaning the five reasons to leave the home will be removed in regional Victoria. There will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home – other than restrictions on entry to metropolitan Melbourne.

The Authorised Worker list will no longer apply in the regions, meaning most businesses and venues can reopen with capacity and density limits. Regional Victorians will return to the rule ‘if you can work from home, you should work from home’ but office workers will be able to return up to 25 per cent or up to 10 people, whichever is greater.

Regional schools will reopen for onsite learning for Prep to Grade 2 and Year 12 students who live in regional Victoria, while remote learning will remain for all other levels. Onsite supervision at schools remains available for vulnerable children and children of essential workers in all year levels, including for students from metropolitan Melbourne.

Funerals will be permitted for up to 20 people and weddings will be permitted for up to 10 people, plus those required to conduct the service. Stricter limits will be in place for both weddings and funerals with people from Melbourne in attendance.

While restrictions remain in metropolitan Melbourne, businesses that are open in regional Victoria – such as restaurants or beauty services – must check the IDs of everyone they serve.

ALL RETAIL

All retail can open with a density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm. Check-in is still mandatory for all patrons. Masks are mandatory at all times and cannot be removed for eating/drinking in retail settings.

HAIRDRESSING, BEAUTY AND PERSONAL CARE

Open with a cap of 10 customers. Masks are mandatory at all times and must remain on for the duration of the service.

HOSPITALITY

Food and drink facility: Open for seated service only with maximum of 20 outdoors and 10 indoors subject to density limits.
Food courts: Open for takeaway service only. Masks must be worn at all times and cannot be removed for eating or drinking in retail settings.

Masks

Anyone 12 years and over must wear a fitted face mask whenever they leave their home, indoors or outdoors, unless a lawful exception applies.
Face masks do not need to be worn indoors or outdoors if you are working alone unless another person enters that indoor or outdoor space.
You can remove your mask in a public place when consuming food, medicine or non-alcoholic drinks.
Face masks are recommended for primary school aged children, but they are not mandatory.

MILDURA RURAL CITY COUNCIL LOCKDOWN

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has declared that the Mildura Rural City Council area will enter a lockdown commencing at 11:59pm Friday, 8 October, with restrictions the same as those in metropolitan Melbourne (excluding the curfew). At this current stage, Mildura's lockdown is set to lift on 11:59pm Friday, 22 October 2021.

Under the lockdown, you can only leave home for limited reasons: necessary goods and services, caregiving or compassionate reasons (including medical care and getting a COVID-19 test), authorised work or permitted education, exercise and outdoor social interaction in limited groups, and getting a COVID-19 vaccine locally.

You can also leave home to visit your intimate partner or single social bubble buddy. No other visitors are allowed in the home. Shopping, exercise and outdoor social interaction will be limited to 15km from your home. Masks will be mandatory indoors and outdoors. Remember to wear masks on public transport.

You have four hours a day for exercise and outdoor social interaction. You can meet with one other person, or up to four others from two households if all present are fully vaccinated. Dependants can also join you.

You can’t leave the Mildura Rural City Council area and travel elsewhere in regional Victoria other than for limited reasons, such as authorised work and permitted education, care and compassionate reasons, visiting an intimate partner, and necessary goods and services (only if they can’t be obtained locally).

QUEENSLAND

QUEENSLAND RESTRICTIONS

From 4pm Friday 8 October 2021, Stage 3 restrictions apply to all of Queensland, with additional mask requirements in place for impacted areas of South East Queensland:

Townsville (including Magnetic Island) and Palm Island are not classified as impacted areas, but residents of these LGAs are encouraged to carry a mask and wear it when physical distancing is not possible.

Stage 3 restrictions include:

Movement and gatherings

Up to 100 people can gather in homes. No limit for people gathering in public spaces.
Indoor funerals and wedding ceremonies: One person per 2 square metres or 200 people or 100% allocated seated and ticketed capacity (whichever is the greater).
- All wedding guests can dance (indoors and outdoors) subject to the one person per 2 square metres rule.
Indoor premises: One person per 2 square metres or 100% allocated seated and ticketed capacity (e.g. restaurants, cafés, pubs, clubs, museums, art galleries, places of worship and convention centres) with the COVID Safe Checklist.
- Eating or drinking while standing allowed.
- One person per 2 square metres for short-term accommodation (including hostels, B&Bs and short-term rentals) with the COVID Safe Checklist. Density requirements do not apply in sleeping areas.
- One person per 2 square metres at indoor play areas with the COVID Safe Checklist.
Self-service food: No restrictions.

Stadiums and indoor and outdoor events

100% allocated seated and ticketed for stadiums
- Patrons must wear a mask at all times when standing, moving around, and when entering and exiting. (Stadiums: for SEQ and North Queensland Stadium only).
100% allocated seated and ticketed capacity for indoor events or 1 person per 2 square metres indoors.
No restrictions on outdoor events, however you are encouraged to wear a mask when you are unable to physically distance.
Ticketed venues: 100% capacity with allocated seating (e.g. theatre, live music, cinemas, indoor sports, universities and other higher education institutions).
Community sport: No restrictions.

Masks

Rest of Queensland: everyone is encouraged to carry and wear a mask when physically distancing is not possible.

Masks must be worn when at an airport, and on a domestic or international flight departing or arriving in Queensland.

South East Queensland: you must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

Outdoors: you must wear a mask when unable to stay 1.5m apart from people who are not part of your household.
Public Transport and ride share: must wear a mask including while waiting for the transport in a public space e.g. bus stop, taxi rank, train station.
Hospitality: you must wear a mask when arriving and departing hospitality venues, e.g. cafes, bars, restaurants or nightclubs. You do not need to wear a mask when standing, seated, moving around or dancing within the venue.
Schools and early learning: teachers, educators, staff and high school students can remove masks indoors when seated. Teachers can remove masks when standing in the class room and able to maintain 1.5m from students, otherwise, teachers, educators, staff and high school students should put masks or face shields back on when standing and interacting indoors.
Other indoor settings, including workplaces: you must wear a mask indoors if you are standing or moving around and you can’t maintain 1.5m physical distancing, e.g. when moving around a shopping centre or supermarket. You do not need to wear a mask when you are seated, e.g. workplaces, cinemas, theatre, stadiums, or if you are standing and eating and drinking.

CHECK IN QLD APP

In addition to the hospitality sector, from 1am Friday 9 July, the Check In Qld app will be mandatory for a number of new sectors.

We note that our list is more prescriptive than what is currently on the Check In Qld app page – this list is what is outlined in the Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction. Businesses within a shopping centre require a QR code, and customers need to check in at the shopping centre and each business within the centre.

This includes:

Retail food services including cafes, restaurants and fast-food outlets. This covers operations that may be part of another business, e.g. a restaurant in a casino or a café in a gallery, or a bar or restaurant at a theme park
Pubs, licensed clubs, RSL clubs, function centres, bars, wineries, distilleries and microbreweries and licensed premises in hotels
Venues that attract large crowds, such as stadiums, convention centres, theme parks, concert venues, nightclubs and cinemas
Shopping centres
Department stores
Pharmacies
Supermarkets, grocers, bakeries, butcher’s shops, fishmongers
Convenience stores, delicatessens
Post offices
Customer service branches of insurers, hardware stores, furniture stores, electrical stores, recreational goods stores, clothing and footwear stores, newsagents, a part of a place engaged in agriculture or industry which sells to the public the produce or products of the business, and indoor and outdoor food, craft or other markets.
beauty and personal care service, such as hairdressing, beauty therapy and nail services
indoor events, such as cultural festival and expos
outdoor events, such as fun runs and fetes
leisure and recreation facilities, such as gyms, health clubs, indoor sports facilities and indoor pools
short-term residential facilities such as hotels, boarding houses and short-term holiday rentals
outdoor recreation, such as caravan parks, camping areas, zoos and aquariums
public-facing government services, such as customer service counters in government buildings, galleries, museums, libraries and community centres such as recreation halls
weddings, funerals and places of worship (only required if indoor)
higher education institutions, such as universities, TAFEs and registered training organisations
adult entertainment venues
hospitals, residential aged care, disability service accommodation (applies to visitors, volunteers and contractors, not staff or patients/residents).

QLD & NSW BORDER BUBBLE

The Queensland Government has reinstated the border bubble with New South Wales where there are no cases, and where lockdowns have been lifted. Students and essential workers will be able to travel from the 12 New South Wales LGAs, where restrictions have eased, into Queensland. It’ll come into effect from 1am on Monday, 13 September 2021.

People crossing the border will still require a border pass and be able to meet certain requirements.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

CURRENT RESTRICTIONS

South Australia is currently under Level 1 restrictions with some additional restrictions.

Please note that from 11:00am, Friday 8 October 2021, the Local Government Areas of Mount Gambier, District Council of Grant and Wattle Range Council will join the rest of the state in Level 1 restrictions.

Level 1 restrictions

3/4 density (for seated activities)
No communal consumption facilities
1/2 density (for non-seated activities)
1/4 density (indoor fitness facilities)
Seated food and beverage consumption only for indoor defined public activities
CMP: events of more than 1 000 people
Shisha ban
Gathering at home cap: 20 (gatherings at residential premises, including residents of residential premises)
Private activity cap: 150 (private activities at non-residential premises)
Masks for high risk settings
Masks for personal care services (except for the person receiving the service, if necessary for the provision of the personal care service)

Additional restrictions

Masks for health care services (except for the person receiving the service, if necessary for the provision of the health care service)
Masks for passenger transport services
Masks for indoor fitness facilities (except while exercising)
Masks for shared indoor public places (except bridal parties during ceremonies)
Restrictions on dancing and singing other than dancing at private functions and private activities as outlined below.
Private activities with food and beverage consumption whilst standing at 1/2 density and approved contact tracing system & cap of 150, dancing is permitted with a cap of 50 at any one time.
Private functions with food and beverage consumption whilst standing at 1/2 density with approved contact tracing system & cap of 150 (at relevant or ongoing licensed premises), dancing is permitted with a cap of 50 at any one time.

Note: An approved contact tracing system (QR code) is generated from a COVID Safe Plan.

Private activity

An event, function or other gathering held at a place that does not constitute a defined public activity (but does not include a gathering at home or an event, function or gathering involving only members of the same household).

- Food and beverage consumption whilst standing at a density of 1 person per 2 square metres, when seated 3 people per 4 square metres
- Must have an approved contact tracing system if food and beverage consumed while standing or any private activity with more than 50 attendees.
- Limit of 150 people (at non-residential premises)
- A maximum of 50 people are permitted to dance at any time where up to 150 people are present.
- Singing is permitted (masks must be worn indoors when in non-residential premises). Performers do not have to wear a mask.
- A private activity at which 51-150 people are present requires a COVID Marshal.

Note: The COVID Marshal must ensure they are independent and their faculties are not impaired in any way by alcohol or drugs while supervising the function.

Private function

An invitation-only event or function on a part of relevant licensed premises or an ongoing licensed premises* where there is no access for members of the public (not invited to the event or function:

Food and beverage consumption whilst standing at a density of 1 person per 2 square metres, when seated 3 people per 4 square metres
Must have an approved contact tracing system. This must be independent from the contact tracing system used by the relevant licenced premises.
Limit of 150 people
Singing is permitted (masks must be worn indoors). Performers do not have to wear a mask.
A maximum of 50 people are permitted to dance at any time.
Communal food and beverage areas are not permitted.

*Ongoing licensed premises means licensed premises under the Liquor Licensing Act 1997 in respect of which an ongoing licence under Part 3, Division 2, Subdivision 2 of that Act is in force. Note: a short term licence is not an ongoing licence.

Personal care

Personal Care includes services such as hairdressers, barbershops, beauty salons, nail salons, tattoo parlours, and other premises at which beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, piercing, body modification services are provided, as well as wellness centres, day spas, massage parlours, saunas, and bathhouses.

Masks

Masks (covering the mouth and nose) are required in:

High risk settings
Personal care services (except for the person receiving the service, if necessary for the provision of the health care service)
Health care services (except for the person receiving the service, if necessary for the provision of the health care service)
Passenger transport services
Indoor fitness facilities (except while exercising)
Shared indoor public places (except bridal parties during ceremonies)

A requirement that a person wear a face mask does not apply to a person:

if they have a relevant medical condition, including problems with their breathing, a serious condition of the face, a disability or a mental health condition (Evidence of a relevant medical condition must be produced on request)
in circumstances where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication, such as to enable communication by or with any patron who is deaf or hard of hearing
in circumstances where removal of the mask is lawfully required for identification purposes
when the person is eating or drinking
if the person is a child under 12 years of age
if the person is carrying out functions as an authorised worker and it is not possible to properly carry out those functions with a mask on.

COVID SAfe Check-In

All defined public activities and general retail industry premises must have a completed COVID Safe Plan and have an approved contact tracing system enabled.

All people entering the place must upload their relevant contact details to the approved contact tracing system. This upload is automatic when you use the COVID SAfe Check-In to scan the QR code.

For more information, visit the COVID Safe Checkin page.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA remains in a State of Emergency. Some important measures remain in place to help keep WA safe.

CAPACITY LIMITS

There are no longer any capacity restrictions for venues and events. This means private gatherings, concerts, sporting games, and weddings can go ahead at full capacity.

Measures remain in place to keep these events safe:

Businesses require a COVID Safety Plan and must maintain a contact register.
Events with more than 500 patrons are required to complete a COVID Event Checklist or Plan.

SAFEWA & CONTACT REGISTERS

You can help keep WA safe by checking in at businesses and venues using SafeWA, or by leaving your details on a contact register.

Most businesses and venues are required to maintain a contact register. The WA Government’s SafeWA app is an easy way for people to check-in at businesses. A manual contact register must also be available.

Contact registers are essential in assisting contact tracers to identify people who may have been exposed to a positive case.

COVID SAFETY PLANS

COVID Safety Plans help ensure businesses actively mitigate the risks of COVID-19 in line with best available health advice.

Businesses that were required to close under the Emergency Management Act 2005 were required to complete a COVID Safety Plan prior to reopening and display a COVID Safety Plan Certificate. Those that were not required to close have voluntarily completed this.

Your COVID Safety Plan should be reviewed regularly and updated where necessary as health and government advice changes.

Industry-specific COVID Safety Guidelines and Plans are available HERE for:

food businesses and licensed premises
sport and recreation
beauty and personal care services
transport, freight and logistics.

If your business does not fall under these categories, please use the ‘General’ plan and guidelines.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Northern Territory does not currently have any restrictions.

BUSINESS GUIDELINES & SAFETY PLANS

All businesses are required to lodge a COVID-19 Safety Plan.

A COVID-19 Safety Plan checklist must be completed and submitted online. The checklist forms the businesses COVID-19 Safety Plan.

The CHO Directions also require businesses to comply with and review their COVID-19 Safety Plans at least every six months to make sure they continue to address any required safety responsibilities.

Businesses with a COVID-19 Safety Plan must also appoint a COVID Safety Supervisor to facilitate the implementation of their business' COVID-19 Safety Plan.

The COVID-19 Safety Plan must be available to show to an authorised officer upon request.

Businesses are also required to collect customer contact details to assist with contact tracing to keep Territorians safe.

The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect your business is through maintaining good hygiene practices, following physical distancing principles and other safety measures.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

The lockdown for the Australian Capital Territory ended at 11:59pm Thursday 14 October 2021.

The following restrictions remain in place until the next milestone expected on Friday 29 October 2021:

Social gatherings, leaving home and visitors

No more than five people permitted to visit another household at any one time (this limit does not apply to children under 12 years of age);
Outdoor gatherings can take place with no more than 25 people.

Business, retail and workplace

Employers continue to allow staff to work from home if practical, with gradual return to work permitted in accordance with the Public Health Direction
Licensed venues permitted to have 25 people across the venue, or one person per four square metres, whichever is lesser (exc staff). If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, they can have up to 50 people in outdoor spaces only, or one person per four square metres, whichever is lesser (exc staff)
Majority of businesses permitted to have up to 25 people across the venue, or one person per four square metres, whichever is lesser (exc staff); Hairdressing and other personal care services can open with five clients at any one time
Essential retail can continue to operate, with density of one person per four square metres
Hardware and building supplies, agricultural and rural supplies, pet stores, businesses that sell essential office supplies continue to operate through click and collect services or click and deliver services only.
- These essential retail businesses can also permit up to two people from the same household (this limit does not apply to children under 12 years of age) into a store at any one time, by booked appointments.
Non-essential retail (and some essential retail outlets) can continue to operate a click and collect or click and deliver service, with no more than 10 staff permitted to be in the business at any one time, or one person per four square metres whichever is lesser
- These essential retail businesses can also permit up to two people from the same household (this limit does not apply to children under 12 years of age) into a store at any one time, by booked appointments.
- Payments for goods can be made at the time of collection and not restricted to online payments only.

From 11:59pm on Thursday 21 October 2021, all retail will be able to reopen their stores to the public under the following conditions:

A maximum of one person per four square metres across the venue (excluding staff).
Everyone (staff and customers) must:
- check in using the Check In CBR App, if aged 16 years or older, and
- wear a face mask if aged 12 years or older (exemptions apply).
Take all reasonable steps to ensure physical distancing of 1.5m is in place.
You must have an up-to-date COVID-19 Safety Plan.
- The COVID-19 Safety Checklist is available to assist in reviewing or updating your COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Fitness, Sport and Outdoor physical recreation and campgrounds

Outdoor Sporting activities (training) can resume with up to 25 people in each outdoor space (exc staff or volunteers)
Swimming pools are permitted to operate with no more than 25 swimmers across the venue. Only 2 swimmers per lane allowed, with formal swimming lessons and training permitted.
Change rooms to remain closed.

Residential aged care

Up to two people will be permitted to visit a resident of a residential aged care facility for any reason. Visitors will be required to be vaccinated

Weddings and funerals

50 people permitted to attend a funeral and up to 25 people can attend a wedding (exc staff)

Masks will continue to be required at all times upon leaving home, including in workplaces, if you are aged 12 years and over.

TASMANIA

MANDATORY MASKS FOR SOUTHERN TASMANIA

The lockdown in Southern Tasmania ended at 6pm Monday 18 October but mask restrictions will remain until 6pm Friday 22 October.

Southern Tasmania includes the local government areas of:

Face masks must still be worn outside the home by everyone aged 12 years and older in the declared local government areas, as above.

Masks must also be worn if visiting someone else’s home unless you are in a signification relationship with the person you are visiting.

Some exemptions to face mask wearing will continue to apply including primary school students (12 year old primary schools students do not have to wear a face mask in school but must wear one elsewhere).

Teachers in primary and secondary schools and secondary students will be required to wear face masks during this time. See face masks exemptions for more details.

MANDATORY MASKS FOR ALL OF TASMANIAN EVENTS

From 12:01am Friday 18 September 2021, masks are required to be worn at any event that has more than 1,000 people in attendance, regardless of whether the event is seated or unseated, indoors or outdoors.

Information for event organisers

Masks are required if there are more than 1000 people at an event, regardless of whether the event is seated or unseated, indoors, or outdoors.

Organisers of events must inform all attendees, staff and third-party vendors attending the event that every person onsite at the event is required to wear a mask. Full details on the required Events Framework can be found here: download the Events Framework.

The total number of people at an event includes (but is not limited to) the following:

Patrons
Onsite staff
Food and beverage staff
Security
Cleaning crews.

The total number of people onsite at the event are considered to make up the final number of 1,000 people at an event.

Information for event attendees

If you are attending an event you must wear a mask, including while queuing, entering or exiting from the event.

Where masks are required, there may be some exceptions to wearing one, including:

Children aged under 12 years or those undertaking primary education
Those who have an exemption
While doing certain activities, so long as the mask is replaced once those activities are finished
Anyone who has medical certification (or other documentation from a medical practitioner) of a physical or mental health, condition or disability that makes wearing a fitted mask unsuitable. You will be required to show evidence from your doctor (i.e. medical certificate) if requested by an authorised person.

Reasons for not wearing a mask are not always obvious, so please be respectful of others.

GATHERING LIMITS FOR REST OF TASMANIA

Businesses

The number of people permitted at businesses/activities without applying for approval under the Framework (other than households and the premises specified at the section on exceptions to the gathering limits is determined by the density of the area, up to a maximum of:

250 people for an undivided space indoors
1,000 people in an undivided space outdoors.

Maximum numbers include all people present, including staff, volunteers, event spectators, athletes, coaches, children and babies.

The maximum density rule of 2 square metres per person applies. If the number of people permitted according to the density limit is less than the gathering limit, the lower number applies.

Where practicable, business operators, staff, volunteers and attendees should maintain 1.5 metres distancing from other people.

For mixed-use venues with multiple indoor or outdoor spaces, the gathering limit applies separately to each single undivided space. For example, a large hotel with multiple, separate indoor spaces (eg conference room, bar, restaurant, foyer, beer garden), is permitted to have up to 250 people for each of these spaces (and the density limit applies).

Business restrictions allow standing activities – like darts, pool, eight-ball, snooker and karaoke – in licensed venues.

A cap on the number of people permitted to stand while drinking alcohol and/or dancing is required because large numbers of people mixing freely and closely while consuming alcohol are very high-risk settings for spreading COVID-19.

Standing and drinking alcohol and/or dancing is permitted in premises with a liquor licence or liquor permit up to a maximum of 100 people in indoor spaces and 250 people in outdoor spaces, within current density requirements.
Patrons in other parts of the premises or event can also consume alcohol while sitting down, subject to density requirements.
For example, a venue with a maximum density capacity of 200 can have 100 people dancing, however the other 100 people must be seated to be drinking alcohol.

Entertainment venues & events (indoor & outdoor)

Entertainment venues include indoor and outdoor cinemas, theatres, concert halls, auditoriums and similar venues.

Operators of entertainment venues can apply to increase patron numbers above 250 people (indoors) or 1,000 people (outdoors) through the Framework for COVID-19 Safe Events and Activities.

For indoor events without seating

Where people are moving freely and mixing, the number of people that may be permitted at any time is no more than 1 person per 2 square metres of space, and no more than 1,000 people.

For indoor seated events

Where people have to be seated most of the time, the number of people that may be permitted at any time is up to the seating capacity of the premises in all seated areas, and 1 person per 2 square metres in all unseated areas, but no more than 2,000 people.

For outdoor events without seating

Where people are moving freely and mixing, the number of people that may be permitted at any time is no more than 1 person per 2 square metres of available space, but no more than 5,000 people.

For outdoor seated events

Stadiums & arenas

Operators of stadiums and arenas can apply to increase attendance numbers to the number of seats provided. Where seating is not provided, the maximum number of people permitted is 1 person per 2 square metres of available space.

Additional requirements for licensed venues

Standing activities – like darts, pool, eight-ball, snooker and karaoke – are allowed in licensed venues.

Standing and drinking alcohol and/or dancing is permitted in premises with a liquor licence or liquor permit up to a maximum of 100 people in indoor spaces and 250 people in outdoor spaces, within current density requirements.

Patrons in other parts of the premises or event can also consume alcohol while sitting down, subject to density requirements.

For example, a venue with a maximum density capacity of 200 can have 100 people dancing, however the other 100 people must be seated to be drinking alcohol.

The management of risk associated with these activities must also be covered in a venue’s COVID-19 Safety Plan.

If someone hires a venue, such as a community hall, they share with the venue owner/operator the responsibility for managing dance and other activities, including physical distancing and facilitating a safe entry and exit to the premises.

A wide range of businesses and venues, including restaurants, cafes and other retail food businesses where food is sold for consumption on-site, as well as businesses that serve alcohol for consumption on-site, must register and use the free Check in TAS app to collect the contact information of all people aged 16 years and over who enter the premises, regardless of how long they will be there.