News | 18 December

To: CCF Victoria staff, members and stakeholders.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – From the CEO desk.

Good evening.

As I sat down this evening after a long week and turned on the news, it is reported that the COVID-19 outbreak on the Northern Beaches of Sydney has worsened and we will now see a closure of the NSW border from tomorrow morning.

There have been zero positive Coronavirus cases or deaths in Victoria now since 30 October. But there are 7 active cases from returning overseas traveller’s who are in hotel quarantine.  However, following the events in NSW it is easy to see how quickly this enviable record can worsen and quickly reverse. This evening the Minister for Health, Martin Foley, has announced that from 11:59 pm, Friday 18 December, a permit system will be put in place for all people in New South Wales travelling to Victoria, including residents, tourists and visitors.

No one from the Northern Beaches and other NSW exposure sites (red zone) will be permitted to enter Victoria from midnight tonight. If airline passengers from a red zone arrive after midnight tonight, they will be transferred to Hotel Quarantine, where they will be required to remain for 14 days.  Anyone travelling from Greater Sydney (orange zone) is encouraged to get tested on arrival and self-quarantine until they receive a negative result.  Those travelling from regional NSW (green zone) will be asked to monitor for symptoms.

Victorians are strongly advised not to travel to Sydney as conditions are expected to deteriorate and you may not be able to re-enter without undertaking hotel quarantine for 14 days.  Victoria Police will also begin roving patrols at the land border from midnight tonight.

Please visit the DHHS website for more information on this situation. 

It’s critical that every Victorian business continues to operate in a COVIDSafe way to help protect our community.  I am encouraging all CCF members to ensure you:

  • have a current COVIDSafe Plan in place and that this is reviewed and updated on a regular basis;
  • deploy Face masks where social distancing cannot take place and that these are carried by you at all times when outside the home; 
  • keep records and act quickly if workers become unwell;
  • continue to practice good hygiene and physical distancing; 
  • limit the number of people, workers who are in close contact where possible. 

For more information, please visit the Coronavirus website, or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

Until my next update …. keep well – keep safe.

Kind regards

John Kilgour

CEO, CCF Victoria

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