NSW lockdown interim advice: ASGA’s Mick Harrold and Marc Martello

On behalf of the ASGA, Marc Martello (NSW Chair) and Mick Harrold (VIC Chair) have provided the following advice on the current lockdown in Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong.  

"We always say that this is our advice only and you must keep your own counsel," they caution.  

In terms of manufacturing, it is 'business as usual'.

"It seems that all on-site businesses (that are not customer facing) can still operate. If you are making signs, then you can go on making signs in your factory," they advise, pointing out the importance of:

- Ensuring you have a COVID safe plan.

- Allowing staff that can work from home to do so. 

- Ensuring you have an electronic check-in.   

- Wearing masks at all times. 

- Ensuring that your COVID safe plan states that there must be one person per four square metres. Do your best to enforce this where possible.

Work that is allowed:

- Construction sites, where no public is allowed, provided that:

* You are working on a construction site (indoor or outdoor) 

* The general public cannot access it (at any time) 

- Outdoor works, provided that: 

* You are working outdoors 

* You can maintain social distancing of staff

* You have good separation from the general public (approximately 2-3m away) 

             - Indoor works – unoccupied sites, provided that:

* You are working in a shop etc that is closed. 

* The technical rule is unoccupied, meaning the shop isn't opening at all that day (not just closed while you are there ). However, this may be a grey area.

Work that is not allowed:

- Indoor works: around the general public

* If the public is in that vicinity and you are working, this is a definite NO. (Discuss with store management.) 

* Work on essential signage (such as COVID-safe signs) is an exception but, even so, it is advised to be carried out during out of hours.

Further information will be forthcoming as it is updated over the course of this week.