To: CCF Victoria staff, members and stakeholders.

Good afternoon.

It is pleasing to report that as of 8 November 2020, there are no new COVID-19 cases diagnosed, which is the 9th consecutive day with no new cases.

The 14-day average case numbers for metropolitan Melbourne is 0.4 and Regional Victoria is zero.  There have been no new deaths from COVID-19 reported and there are only 4 cases currently active in Victoria. 19,522 people have recovered, 2 people are in hospital and there are no cases in intensive care.

These are great numbers and yesterday, the Premier, Daniel Andrews, announced the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions from 11.59pm last night (Sunday 8 November) with Victoria on track to reach the Last Step in the roadmap towards reopening on 22 November.  

The following is an overview of the key changes:  

Metropolitan Melbourne to join regional Victoria on roadmap towards reopening

From 11:59pm on Sunday 8 November 2020:

  • The boundary between Melbourne and regional Victoria will come down.
  • The 25-kilometre limit will no longer be in place.
  • The rules that currently apply to regional Victoria will apply to the whole state – wherever you live.

What this means – changes to how we live and work in metropolitan Melbourne

From 11:59pm on Sunday 8 November:

  • Visits to the home will be relaxed a little. Households can still only have a maximum of two people (and their dependents) to visit per day, but those two people don’t need to be from the same household, and they will be able to come at different times.
  • Restaurants, pubs and cafes will be able to host up to 40 customers indoors and 70 outdoors.
  • Gyms and indoor sporting facilities can open with up to 20.
  • Indoor sport for those 18 and under can recommence.
  • Indoor religious ceremonies will be increased to 20, with 50 allowed outside. The same numbers will apply to funerals, but there’s no change to weddings – for now.
  • Community spaces like libraries or RSL clubs and neighbourhood houses can have up to 20 indoors, with groups of up to ten.
  • Accommodation will be able to open, with restrictions.

Additional changes to how we live and work across Victoria

From 11:59pm on Sunday 8 November:

  • Indoor entertainment venues will be able to open with 20 people per space – movie theatres, galleries, museums and music halls will now be able to open.
  • The rules around visiting aged care and hospitals will also be relaxed. Instead of a specific number of visitors – a household will be able to visit together. Once per day and limited to two hours.
  • Those under 16 will also be able to visit hospitals and the time limit for partners visiting maternity wards will no longer exist. Please note however, that individual hospitals and facilities may continue to have their own policies, reflecting the needs of their patients and whatever the virus might be doing in the community.
  • The State of Emergency will be extended until 6 December to allow the Chief Health Officer’s directions to remain in force.
  • The State of Disaster will not be renewed.

Key restrictions remaining in place at this time

  • If you can work from home, you must work from home.
  • A fitted face mask must be worn in public at all times (with specified exceptions).

Looking ahead – Victoria’s Last Step in the roadmap towards reopening

From 22 November, and in line with the public health advice, Victoria is on track to reach the Last Step in the roadmap towards reopening. Some key changes include:

  • Private gatherings will be able to increase to 10 people.
  • Gatherings for religious services, weddings and funerals will increase.
  • Hospitality venues will be able to have up to 100 indoors, 200 outside.
  • There will also be increases for other indoor venues like cinemas and gyms and galleries.

Stay safe, stay open – everyone has a role

  • ensure physical distancing (1.5 m);
  • keep wearing a face mask;
  • keep maintaining your distance.
  • If you have symptoms, you must get tested immediately and stay home;
  • practice good hygiene;
  • keep good records and act quickly if staff become unwell;
  • avoid interactions in close spaces;

For a detailed summary of the restrictions for the Third Step and Last Step of the roadmap, access Victoria’s roadmap for reopening. Please note, all patron numbers are subject to strict density limits as outlined in the relevant sector guidance.  Attached here is the link directly to the construction sector guidelines: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-sector-guidance-construction

A range of templates, questionnaires, signage and posters is now also available to assist employers to promote a COVIDSafe workplace. At the time of writing this CEO update, the COVIDSafe Plan applicable to construction has not yet been updated by DJPR.  Keep an eye out for this during the weekend at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-plan

Are you interested in developing or improving your businesses approach to creating a mentally healthy workplace?

Invitation to participate in Positive Plans – Positive Futures

CCF Victoria’s Positive Plans – Positive Future’s is a project designed to support business owners and senior leaders in the civil construction industry to lead the development and implementation of a mental health action plan in their organisation.

With support from WorkWell’s Mental Health Improvement Fund, CCF Victoria will work with key leaders and senior managers in your business to develop a practical approach to creating a mentally healthy workplace, that is planned and sustainable.

Key topics covered by Positive Plans – Positive Futures include:

  • How to develop a Mental Health Action Plan for your business.
  • Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces (for Senior Managers).
  • Managing work-related stress and mental health.

If you are interested in participating and gaining access to a range of events, professional development programs, subject matter experts and an evaluation of the impact and value of your plan please complete this brief Expression of Interest on the CCF Victoria website.

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

Kind regards

John Kilgour

CEO, CCF Victoria