Effective 06 December 2020

• You must carry a face mask with you when you leave home. 
• Wearing a face mask is only mandatory on public transport, while in taxis or ride share vehicles, or when going to large retail venues, including shopping centres, supermarkets and department stores. 
• Face masks must be worn indoors (for example, in the supermarket or on public transport). A mask is not required outdoors if you can keep 1.5 metres distance from others. Face masks must be worn by all Victorians when they leave home, unless they have a lawful reason not to wear one or are outside and can keep 1.5 metres distance. 
• Record keeping continues to be an important tool for helping Victoria to stay safe and stay open. Businesses that are required to record the details of visitors should use electronic record keeping or QR codes. The Victorian Government has a free QR code service. 

Visit the Coronavirus website for other updates and further information.

Effective 22 November
There are a number of significant changes to the COVID Safe requirements for seasonal horticulture workplaces which has previously been emailed out to FGV Members. Please see below relevant updates for hort:

• Removes certain obligations from the listed industries such as having a High Risk COVIDSafe Plan, cleaning logs and PPE training plan
• Removes the requirement for surveillance testing for seasonal horticultural work
• Removes the requirements for employers to supply face coverings to seasonal workers and ensure that all seasonal workers at the seasonal Work Premises wear a face covering at all times
• Removes the requirement on all industries (except for care facilities, hotel quarantine and ports of entry) for employers to require workers to make declarations at the start of each shift
• Retains the requirement for record keeping, separation of workers through bubbles, and increased cleaning.

A copy of the updated Workplace Additional Obligations Directions No 14 can be downloaded here.

Useful Links
Record keeping for contact tracing
Learn the record-keeping requirements for a COVIDSafe workplace, which businesses need to keep records, how long they should be kept and other important advice and information. Find out more. 

Updated Guidelines for cleaning and disinfection in workplaces
Workplaces need to clean and disinfect surfaces - both steps are essential. The Victorian Government has released updated cleaning and disinfection guidelines including information on:

• factsheets for workplaces, workforces, supervisors and building owners and managers
• checklists for engaging and monitoring routine cleaning services
• checklist for engaging cleaning services for a COVID-deep clean
• training completion register template

Posters & Templates for your COVIDSafe workplace
Your workplace can use this free collection of templates, questionnaires, signage and posters to promote a COVIDSafe workplace.
The templates include:

• record sheet - visitor and patron contact log
• staff health questionnaire
• social media tiles to share information to your clients and colleagues

You can also find links to translated information about coronavirus (COVID-19). - Check out the resources

Victorian Government QR Code Service
The Victorian Government QR Code Service is free for all Victorian businesses and venues. These records help contact tracers in the event a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) is identified. The QR code service is free for businesses or venues to use to help with contact tracing. There are no ongoing costs for businesses, venues, or visitors who check-in. Visit the Coronavirus website for more information.

COVID Marshals
The COVID Marshal is a new and important role, aimed at ensuring workplaces are COVIDSafe at all times. They are responsible for monitoring a site’s compliance with their COVIDSafe Plan and additional industry obligations. They play a vital role in supporting workers to follow COVIDSafe principles, and look for ways to continually improve the execution of a business’s COVIDSafe Plan or High Risk COVIDSafe Plan — including entry screening, physical distancing, PPE, workplace bubbles, hygiene, cleaning and record-keeping requirements. 
COVID Marshals are recommended for supermarkets and chilled distribution facilities located in regional Victoria as well as other high-risk industries including horticulture operations using seasonal workers for seasonal horticultural work. Visit the Coronavirus website for more information. 

Seasonal Workers information brochure
Available for download is this handy brochure which can be distributed to workers prior to arriving or upon their arrival. It outlines safe work practices, information on getting tested if symptoms are present, and what to do if you have symptoms. Download the brochure here.