What Victoria’s restrictions mean for industry: ASGA's Mick Harrold

Mick Harrold, MD Visual Exposure and ASGA’s Treasurer & Victorian Chair Mick Harrold has provided members with his view of the Victorian lockdown, providing details on what it means for the industry, with the caveat that this is “advice only” and that people must always do their own research and understand how it applies to their unique business.

Mick confirms that construction is an authorised industry – for more details on this go to: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/authorised-provider-and-authorised-worker-list

“The only caveat on that seems to be work on occupied buildings. This doesn't include businesses that are allowed to be open. So essentially, only residential homes are not allowed (unless it is essential). This means on any unoccupied site or businesses permitted to be open, any construction is OK. Not just essential construction either. All construction. Sign installation falls under the construction banner, so we are of the opinion that we can install signs. The VBA has confirmed this overnight,” says Mick.

In terms of  fabrication/printing, Mick says gets a bit murkier and you that people will need to keep to their own advice.

“This technically falls under manufacturing. They make allowance for manufacturing workers in the documentation, but manufacturing businesses are not on the Authorised Providers list. So if we are following the word of the law, we can assume manufacturing is allowed if you are manufacturing essential items,” he explains.

“However, in the past, and we assume this still applies, you are allowed to produce items in support of the construction industry (i.e. you are building a pylon sign that will be installed on site next week). If you stop work on it, install can't proceed, so this work is allowed. Given that all construction is allowed this time, we can assume that you can produce any sign that will be installed. This gives you a fairly wide scope to work with.

“Again I say keep your own advice here. We can get no definitive answer from government on this and we will never get one. If you are going to do it, make sure you have your arguments lined up and if you think it too grey, then don't do it,” adds Mick.

With regards to support and grants for those of us affected, he says that nothing has been confirmed on this front yet, but there is talk that it will come.

“However, I expect that this will not be available to us. Last time it was restricted to businesses that had to completely shut down and as discussed above, that is not us. So don't expect any handouts,” says Mick.