COVID-19 Updates May 26 2021 (Li)

COVID-19 : NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

WEDNESDAY 26 MAY 2021

Please find below a selection of recent legislation changes relating to COVID-19 and communications for workplaces from key safety and environmental regulators in Australia and New Zealand.

This update is provided on a weekly basis.

LEGISLATION CHANGES

Please note: The legislation in this update was current at time of release. Legislation around COVID-19 is frequently updated and revoked. The URLs provided may no longer be maintained by the relevant legislative website, after the release date.

Commonwealth

Migration (Income Threshold and Exemptions for Subclass 189 Visa (New Zealand Stream)) Instrument (LIN 21/018) 2021

Adds a new class of applicants who are exempt from the minimum amount of taxable income requirements, which is a primary criterion for the grant of the Subclass 189 visa, and adds the evidence required for the new class of exempt applicants.

South Australia

COVID-19 Emergency Response (Expiry) (No 2) Amendment Act 2021

Changes the date on which certain provisions of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 expire.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Residential Tenancies, Residential Parks and Supported Residential Facilities Expiry Notice 2021

Provides for the expiry of Sections 8, 9 and 10 of Part 2 of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 on 1 September 2021.

Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel - Associated Direction No 12) (COVID-19) Direction 2021

Subjects all overseas arrivals (other than New Zealand arrivals) to Level 5 requirements, and subjects travellers arriving in SA from certain restricted zones in Victoria to Level 2, 4, 5 and 6 requirements in certain circumstances.

Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 36) (COVID-19) Direction 2021

Ensures that appropriate measures are taken to establish controls and safeguards to protect vulnerable members of the SA community, including by mandating a requirement to maintain records of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Victoria

Care Facilities Directions (No 29)

Provides for restricted access to care facilities in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 within a particularly vulnerable population - came into force at 6 pm 25 May 2021.

Hospital Visitor Directions (No 25)

Prohibits non-essential visits and access to hospitals in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 within a particularly vulnerable population - came into force at 6 pm 25 May 2021.

Restricted Activity Directions (Victoria) (No 16)

Restricts the operation of certain businesses and undertakings to address the serious public health risk posed to Victoria by COVID-19 - came into force at 6 pm 25 May 2021.

Stay Safe Directions (Greater Melbourne)

Requires residents in the restricted area to limit interactions with others by restricting gatherings, and to carry and wear face coverings in certain settings - came into force at 6 pm 25 May 2021.

Stay Safe Directions (Regional Victoria)

Requires residents in the relevant area to limit interactions with others by restricting gatherings, and to carry and wear face coverings in certain settings - came into force at 6 pm 25 May 2021.

Victorian Border Crossing Permit Directions (No 13)

Continues to provide a ‘traffic light’ border crossing scheme for persons seeking to enter Victoria from any other State or Territory in Australia or, after entering Australia from a Green Zone Country in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 - came into force at 6 pm 25 May 2021.

Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations) Directions (No 24)

Establishes additional specific obligations on employers and workers in specific industries in relation to managing the risk associated with COVID-19 - came into force at 6 pm 25 May 2021.

Workplace Directions (No 29)

Limits the number of Victorians attending Work Premises to assist in reducing the frequency and scale of COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces and to establish more specific obligations on employers and workers in relation to managing the risk associated with COVID-19 - came into force at 6 pm 25 May 2021.