COVID FAQs

Businesses

Apprentices

Businesses

Question - When did the lockdown restrictions ease and what are the new restrictions?

Answer:

The Emergency Management (COVID-19) (Stay at home no 3) Direction 2020 was revoked and replaced with the Emergency Management (Public Activities No 12) (COVID-19) Direction 2020.

It is important to note that certain 'defined activities' will require a COVID-Safe Plan and may require social distancing of 1 person per 4 square metres or contact tracing records.

  • Onsite consumption of food and beverages whether occurring in an indoor or outdoor area - Roadhouses and service stations (Plan + 1 person per 4sqm)
  • Indoor public meetings (Plan + 1 person per 4sqm + keeping contact tracing records)
  • The provision of recreational transport - Bus and coach operators - (Plan only - distancing requirement not applied)

If you need to create a COVID-Safe Plan, please click here.

Contact tracing records for public meetings require the following to be recorded either in writing or electronically:

  • the time and date of the activity
  • the name of the person attending
  • the phone number or email address of person attending.

SA Health continues to strongly recommend the following advice:

  • Get tested if you feel unwell or show symptoms
  • Work from home where possible
  • Encourage vulnerable people to stay at home
  • Avoid having visitors at home
  • Avoid unnecessary travel
  • Masks are not mandatory but are recommended where it is not possible to physically distance, e.g. public transport

The removal of these restrictions are a positive step, but we are not out of the woods yet.

Members are reminded to continue to practice social distancing, as well as wash hands regularly with soap or hand sanitiser. Any staff who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 should be directed to self-quarantine and should not return to work until a negative test result has been received.

The SA Government is encouraging everyone that if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, to please get tested.

Testing locations across Adelaide can be found on the SA Health website: sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidtesting

Patients who meet the following clinical criteria can be tested for COVID-19:

  • fever OR chills with no alternative illness
  • an acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath)
  • loss of taste and smell
  • fatigue

More information can be found on the SA Health COVID-19 website

Question - What do I pay my employees if I am required to close my business due to another lockdown?

Answer:
During a lockdown, if you are required to close your business (or a part of your business), and presuming your employees cannot be usefully employed working from home, then this would be treated as a stand down as you cannot provide useful employment for your employees.

As such, employees will be unpaid, but this will not break continuity of service, and they will accrue leave as normal during this period. Employees can also access accrued annual leave or long service leave entitlements.

Question - Can some of my staff be on stand down, and some working?

Answer:

Yes, provided that the staff on stand down cannot usefully be employed. If you need only some staff from a particular department, but not all, there must be reasonable grounds and consultation in selecting the staff who will be working, and those who will be stood down.

Question - How much notice do I need to give my employees to return to work after standing them down?

Answer:

You must give your employees reasonable notice when requiring them to return to work after being stood down. You could certainly require them back tomorrow, but today might need to be by negotiation. Notice would normally be expected to be at least twelve hours (i.e. the following day for work), but might be earlier by negotiation.

Question - Can I have someone on site to receive deliveries given freight is still running?

Answer:
If this is necessary as part of freight deliveries, then yes, but the employee should only be on site for that purpose, and only for the period necessary.

Question - Do employees need to wear a mask?

Answer:
At present, masks are strongly recommended when outside of the home but are not mandatory.

Question - Can an employer require an employee to wear a mask? Can an employee refuse? Is it a reasonable direction?

Answer:
Masks have not been declared as mandatory, but are recommended for all people to wear outside the home. It is a reasonable direction for an employer to require an employee working to wear a mask.

Question - What were the fines for businesses and individuals for disobeying or breaching the directions of the recent lockdown?

Answer:
Authorities are able to issue fines to individuals ($1,060) and businesses ($5,060) who disregard restrictions.

In the first instance, authorities are likely to adopt an educative rather than punitive approach, unless it is clear and blatant, or there is an ignoring of an initial direction from a SAPOL officer. However, fines can also be issued immediately.

Apprentices

Question - I have just started. What happens with my apprenticeship?

Answer:

Your apprenticeship was on hold – known as ‘suspension’ – until you were able to return to work. You will not be paid during this period and your apprenticeship completion date will be extended by 3 days.

Question - My host has asked me to go back to work, can I go back?

Answer:

The Premier's office have advised that vehicle repair and mechanical services may operate during the lockdown but only to the extent necessary to facilitate other essential work or activities. For example, if a freight truck breaks down it can be serviced, but discretionary servicing which is not necessary for critical vehicle safety needed to wait until after midnight 21st November 2020. You should follow your host employer's direction.

Question - Is there Government compensation top-up for lockdown restrictions on MTA apprentices?

Answer:

SA COVID-19 Cluster Isolation Payment is available, however apprentices who were only isolating as a result of the recent lockdown would not be eligible. You can find further information here - Financial Support for Individuals

Question - Do I need to wear a mask in the workshop if I am working?

Answer: Yes

Question - When do I return to work?

Answer:

As instructed by your host employer. However, restrictions eased from midnight 21st November 2020.