COVID-19 Resources

The current situation with COVID-19 is rapidly changing and as such government and industry advice about, and in response to, the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly changing as new information becomes available.

To help you with both organisation, community, business and personal decisions, or to just keep updated, please see below to get the most current information.

Should you have situation specific queries we strongly urge you to contact Service NSW who are available 24/7 on 13 77 88 as they will have the most relevant information on hand and will help you guide you through the process.

Please remember, these change day-to-day, and the information Landcare NSW has is informed by these websites so if unsure please go directly to NSW Government website.

COVID-19 RULES

Learn about the rules and restrictions in NSW and what you can do to help stop the spread of COVID-19 here

EXEMPTED GATHERINGS

Places that fall under ‘exempted gatherings’ must follow the relevant rules including:
– the wearing of face masks
– having a COVID-19 safety plan and
– mandatory electronic check-in (QR codes).

GENERAL INFORMATION

2021 COVID-19 SUPPORT PACKAGE

The NSW Government will provide financial assistance, support measures and tax relief to help businesses and people across the state impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions.

BUSINESSES, SOLE TRADERS AND SMALL NOT-FOR-PROFITS

The new small business support payment will support up to an estimated 500,000 entities employing more than 3 million people.

More here

The 2022 Small Business Support Program

This new program will help businesses survive the immediate impact of the Omicron wave.

Eligible businesses with a turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million that experienced a minimum 40% decline in turnover in January 2022 – and the first fortnight of February 2022 – can apply for support through this program.

Employing businesses will be eligible to receive 20% of weekly payroll as a lump sum for the month of February, with a minimum payment of $750 per week and a maximum payment of $5000 per week.

Non-employing businesses will receive $500 per week, paid as a lump sum of $2000.

The 2022 Small Business Support Program is for the month of February only.
Businesses will be able to apply through Service NSW from mid-February in 2022.

Most customers submitting complete and eligible applications through Service NSW should receive payment within 5 to 15 days of applying.

Customers will be contacted by Service NSW and asked to provide any additional information they need to finalise their application.

More information, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, will be available soon here.

In addition, the existing Small Business Fees, Charges and RAT Rebate will be increased from the current $2,000 limit to $3,000 and employing businesses will be able to offset 50 per cent of the cost of RATs.

This will support worker availability by helping reduce costs to small businesses and enabling healthy staff who have been exposed to COVID-19, but test negative, to return to work.

REGIONAL STAY AT HOME RULES

Viewing the map

  • Enter an address to check whether it is in a local government area where the stay at home rules apply.
  • Click on the map for a link to the rules that apply to a local government area.
COVID-19 SAFETY PLANS

Your COVID-19 Safety Plan must address the matters required by the approved COVID-19 Safety Checklist.

The plans set out what businesses and organisations need to do to fulfil their obligations under public health orders and minimise risk of transmission of COVID-19 on their premises.

Complete the relevant COVID-19 Safety Plan for your industry. You need to keep a copy of your plan and provide it when asked to an authorised person.

Rules and restrictions for the regional and rural affected areas in NSW where stay at home rules are in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

For more information click here

Or here

WORKING AND BUSINESSES

LANDCARE NSW COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY

Due to the NSW Government changes to the current COVID-19 Public Health Order, Landcare NSW has developed the below Vaccination Policy. This Policy applies to all Landcare NSW employees and workplaces (including volunteers) and is effective as at 15 December, 2021.

The policy has been developed in line with Landcare NSW’s major funders and trading partners, NSW Government, Local Land Services and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE).

It is recommended that Landcare NSW Members review the Landcare NSW policy and adapt the Landcare NSW Policy for their own use.

Landcare NSW COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (Word)
Landcare NSW COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (PDF)

COVID-19 VACCINATION GUIDE

With the COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales and Victoria worsening, and other States going into snap lockdowns to manage the spread of the Delta variant, businesses are increasingly asking about their rights and responsibilities when it comes to encouraging or ensuring that their workers are vaccinated.

A COVID-19 Vaccination Guide is provided here that may assist in navigating a number of grey areas.

FAIRWORK

Visit this site to see information that covers workplace laws, obligations and entitlements for:

  • employers and employees affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • employers and employees who previously participated in the JobKeeper scheme (qualifying employers, legacy employers and eligible employees)
  • employers and employees covered by awards varied by the Fair Work Commission during coronavirus (such as the Vehicle Award).

More here

WORKING FROM HOME

Employers must allow an employee to work from home if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

If you cannot work from home and you go to your workplace, you must wear a face mask (unless an exemption applies).

Full details here

MANDATORY ELECTRONIC CHECK-IN (QR CODES)

Check in is required by staff and customers when they enter certain premises. This covers all industries bar providing emergency services, by vehicle if you do not leave your vehicle, if you are under 18 years of age and it is not possible to register your contact details, to exercise law enforcement, intelligence or national security functions on behalf of a NSW Government or Australian Government agency, a health or medical facility (other than a pharmacy) as a patient or a farm. Activities on farm we suggest still having a sign in register.

Information regarding QR codes here

INSURANCE FOR EVENTS

Landcare NSW has sought advice from the Landcare NSW insurer and the underwriter has provided the following information:

‘If the groups are acting within the government rules and taking all reasonable care and precautions, there would seem to be no reason an event could not proceed, particularly if their own risk assessment suggests it is ok.

We are unable to cover events where the attendees exceed either the current federal or state advice for public gatherings and visits to vulnerable groups.

Where events are conducted with attendees less than the government recommendation, we recommend an organisation to undertake a risk assessment as detailed in the attached government advice.

However please note that Indemnity under any policy depends on the specific facts of any particular incident and terms and conditions.

Regarding vaccinations and events, it still comes down to the question of whether a group can be found liable for causing an outbreak at an event where they have been deemed to be negligent by a court. It is impossible to give a definitive answer as every claim will be subject to specific facts and circumstances and will always be subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and how they relate to those facts / circumstances. Any risk must be assessed by an Insured organisation and managed accordingly.’

Please carefully consider the above before holding any activity or event.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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