
COVID Check-in Mandate Expanded
I wish to remind the Upper Hunter electorate that Use of the Service NSW QR code will be mandatory at all workplaces and retail businesses from Monday 12 July.
Expanding the mandate would give NSW Health contact tracers real-time access to QR code data from a greater number of venues including supermarkets, retail stores, gyms and offices.
This is about keeping our local customers and staff safe and getting all businesses
open again as soon as possible.
We know the Delta variant of COVID-19 moves quickly and we must do everything
we can to get it under control.
While many retail businesses, including large supermarkets and hardware chains,
have voluntarily adopted the Service NSW QR code, this measure will ensure checkin rates are high across the board and contact tracers have access to reliable and comprehensive records.
From 12 July, these businesses will need to display the Service NSW QR code and
take reasonable steps to ensure people entering their premises check-in using the
Service NSW QR codes or digital sign-in sheet:
Retail businesses and supermarkets
Individual shops within shopping centres
Shopping centres will also be asked to display QR codes at entry points where
practicable
Gyms
Offices, including call centres
Manufacturing and warehousing
Universities and TAFE
Schools including teachers and visitors (such as parents and contractors) but
excluding students.
Businesses such as hospitality and hairdressers that were already using the NSW
Government QR code system will also need to ensure staff and visitors such as
maintenance workers and delivery drivers check-in, when they resume services after
the lockdown period.
Hospitality businesses will now need to extend the use of the Service NSW COVIDSafe check-in to all customers including takeaway orders.
Businesses that fail to comply with the new health order requirements may be subject to fines and in case of flagrant breaches, temporary closure orders.
There is no excuse not to check-in everywhere you can – local businesses and
customers all have a part to play to keep the community safe.
Inspectors have been asked to monitor the situation alongside the NSW Police.
The Service NSW COVID-Safe check-in is easy for customers to use from within the
Service NSW app. There are more than 5.2 million active users of the Service NSW app. The data captured by the Service NSW COVID-Safe check-in is only used for the purposes of contact tracing by NSW Health. It is deleted after 28 days.
Businesses who need to register for the NSW Government QR code can find the
application form and more information at https://www.nsw.gov.au/register-yourbusiness-as-covid-safe
For visitors without a digital device, other check-in forms must be available.
Major new COVID-19 support package to help thousands of businesses across NSW
The NSW Government last week announced a major new grants package and changes to the Dine & Discover program to help tens of thousands of small businesses and people across NSW impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions.
The package includes grants of between $5,000 and $10,000 for small businesses, payroll tax deferrals for all employers, an extension of the Dine & Discover program to 31 August and the ability for people to use Dine & Discover vouchers for takeaway delivered directly to their home by the venue itself.
The centrepiece of the package was the small business support grants which will help businesses by alleviating cashflow constraints while trading is restricted. This can be used for business expenses such as rent, utilities and wages, for which no other government support is available.
Three different grant amounts will be available for small businesses depending on the decline in turnover experienced during the restrictions – $10,000 for a 70 per cent decline, $7,000 for a 50 per cent decline and $5,000 for a 30 per cent decline.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the new grants would be available across NSW.
These grants will help many get through the winter, and just like after the bushfires, the floods and the first wave of COVID-19, the regions will lead NSW out the other side.
The small business grants would be available for sole traders and non-for-profit organisations, with expanded criteria to assist most hospitality and tourism operators hit hard by the restrictions during school holidays.
Businesses in the Upper Hunter electorate who have been affected will be able to apply for the grants through Service NSW from later in July and will need to show a decline in turnover across a minimum two-week period after the commencement of major restrictions on June 26.
Tennis Benefits ATP Cup Legacy Fund Grant
Tennis in our Upper Hunter electorate has received a boost following the awarding of a grant in Round 2 of the NSW ATP Cup Tennis Legacy Fund.
The NSW Government, in partnership with Tennis NSW, is investing $2.4 million over three years to ensure community tennis benefits from NSW hosting the ATP Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena.
I congratulate the Scone Hardcourt Tennis who have received $6,950 for Aboriginal tennis.
More than $360,000 had been awarded to clubs, associations and councils across NSW for projects that improve facilities and encourage participation.
Round 2 of the NSW ATP Cup Tennis Legacy Fund saw grants of $1,000 - $50,000 available. For further information on the NSW ATP Cup Tennis Legacy Fund visit: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/nsw-atp-cup-tennis-legacy-fund
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