COVID-19: NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

WEDNESDAY 18 MAY 2022

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.

Please note: From 25 May 2022, the scope of this update will be limited to COVID legislation and news that directly affects workplaces. 

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

Commonwealth Electoral (Secure Telephone Voting Method for Coronavirus Affected Individuals) Determination 2022 -

  • Provides that the secure telephone voting method prescribed by the Commonwealth Electoral (COVID Enfranchisement) Regulations 2022 may be used by individuals referred to in Section 202AFA(1) in relation to the general election and Senate election to be held in the year beginning 1 January 2022.

Australian Capital Territory

Public Health (Emergency) Declaration Further Extension 2022 (No 2)

  • Further extends the period during which the Public Health (Emergency) Declaration 2020 (No 1) is in force for a period of 90 days.

Public Health (Restricted Activities) Emergency Direction 2022 (No 7)

  • Requires restricted businesses, activities and undertakings and certain public events to operate in accordance with COVID-19 safety plans to limit the public health risk posed by COVID-19.

Queensland

Disability Accommodation Services Visitor Direction (No. 2)

  • Imposes requirements in relation to visiting disability accommodation services.

Hospital Visitor Entry Direction (No. 2)

  • Imposes requirements in relation to visiting hospitals.

Requirements for Workers at Government Nominated Accommodation Direction (No. 2)

  • Protects the health of the community and individuals working and staying in government accommodation for isolation by mitigating the risk of the spread of COVID-19, including through vaccination, personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing requirements for workers.

Residential Aged Care Visitor Direction (No. 2)

  • Imposes requirements in relation to visiting residential aged care facilities.

Tasmania

Notice Under Section 20 of the COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020

  • Declares certain exceptions to the Criminal Code, Criminal Code Act 1942, Sentencing Act 1997 and Supreme Court Civil Procedure Act 1932.

Western Australia

Extension of State of Emergency Declaration

  • Extends the state of emergency declaration for a period of 14 days.

Maritime Crew Member Directions (No 10)

  • Sets out the requirements that apply to unvaccinated international maritime crew members entering Western Australia by disembarking a vessel.

New Zealand

FROM THE REGULATORS

Australia

Australian Capital Territory

Northern Territory

NT Government:

Tasmania

Western Australia

New Zealand

That completes this edition of the COVID-19 update. The next update will be released on Wednesday 25 May 2022.