COVID-19 update - 8 August 2020 - Border closures

8 August 2020

Today we've had a win, with the border restrictions updated to the benefit of the construction industry.

^{This COVID-19 member update is unlocked and free to all in the interests of the building and construction industry. Did you know members have exclusive access to information and our team of experts who are on hand to assist in a range of ways? Need more specific COVID-19 advice relating to contracts, WHS, employment conditions or the relief measures? Members can contact us or learn how to join so you can speak with our experts and get free advice.}

Queensland border closures – updated 8 August

Further to yesterday’s update on border restrictions, we’ve successfully lobbied for further concessions and clarity for the building industry, and particularly those who work on or near the border.

This morning, the directive has been updated by Queensland Health to include specific provisions for construction workers (refer to section 17A).

These additional provisions importantly provide the industry with a green light for any Queensland construction workers (not just those who live in the border zone) to cross the border (within the NSW border zone only) to perform construction work.

NSW construction workers who are border zone residents are permitted to travel outside the border zone in Queensland to perform construction work.

Workers from either state who have been in a COVID-19 declared hot spot in the last 14 days, will not be eligible.

More to be done

This is a significant lobbying achievement, achieved through extensive and constructive discussions with the Queensland Government. However, the changes are still not ideal for some members, as they leave them and their staff significantly in the lurch with partially completed projects.

We will continue to lobby for further changes, including allowing Queensland construction workers to travel a reasonable distance outside the NSW border zone, which will also help to accommodate workers who have visited areas that were not considered hot spots prior to 1am on 8 August.

We are pushing hard for these changes because we were exempt from the border closure last time because of our importance to the economy, as well as our ability to successfully apply social distancing and hygiene protocols to work sites.

On behalf of our members we’re actively calling on the Queensland Government to make the right changes that protect the health of Queenslanders but ensure our industry keeps working.

Resources

We're trying to make it easier with loads of resources available:

• Health Disclosure Form (clients) – use this when visiting clients and private premises
• Health Disclosure Form (visitors) – use this form for visitors coming to your site or business
• Notice to supply to clients – use this to confirm for clients you are authorised to attend
• Notice to clients (product selections) – provide this notice to your clients to confirm that they are required to visit suppliers to make product selections as per their building contract
• COVID-19 site sign – use this to educate your workers on the guidelines
• COVID-19 site sign (public) – use this to reinforce to the public and workers on the measures you are taking
• Keep your distance checklist – use this to ensure you are following all the recommendations
• COVID-19 entry authorisation sign – use this for sites without constant supervision of visitors entering at the gate. Visitors can use this as a health self-assessment
• Digital banner (PDF or JPEG) – use this banner in your advertising and newsletters to demonstrate to customers and stakeholders that you are following the COVID-19 rules.
• Display Village Visitors Notice – use this notice in your display home to notify visitors of relevant rules and measures you've implemented.
• COVID-19 cleaning guide & FAQs – use this cleaning guide to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace.

We're here for you

We've got the information you need on:

• Contractual information for site shutdown or program delays
• How to deal contractually with a product delay
• Safety & hygiene practices
• Employment conditions
• Common employment FAQs
• Relief and stimulus packages 
• Mental health and well-being

Help and advice

As usual, our staff are here to help. Whether you've got a question about protecting your business contractually, an employment or a health and safety question, our specialists are here and available to talk you through the options - get in touch.