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Victoria’s small businesses prepare for a return to trading

by OnDeck Australia,   Oct 28, 2020

 

Here’s what Melbourne’s small business community can expect as the state celebrates an easing of lockdowns from 28 October.

 

It’s been an incredibly tough year for Victoria’s business community. But with luck – and careful monitoring, the worst could be over. Premier Daniel Andrews has announced an easing of restrictions from 28 October, and small businesses need to be ready for what Premier Andrews is calling the ‘Third Step’.

 

From Wednesday 28 October 2020

 

Under the Third Step, Melbournians will no longer face restrictions around leaving their homes. However, the 25-kilometre limit will remain, and the border between regional Victoria and Melbourne will stay in place until 8 November.

 

If you own a small business in Melbourne, here’s what you need to know for the Third Step:

Cafes, restaurants and pubs

You can re-open with up to 20 customers indoors, and a maximum of 50 outdoors. Businesses must follow COVID-safe plans and maintain staff/customer contact records.

Beauty and personal care services

Trading can resume trading for services where the client can wear a face covering.

Retail outlets

You can reopen at last. Your business will need a comprehensive COVID-safe plan including logging all staff and customers, and limiting customer numbers depending on the size of the store. Both customers and staff must wear face masks.

PT, fitness and dance classes

Classes can be held outdoors with up to ten people.

Workplaces

Businesses no longer need to be on the ‘permitted work list’ to open their workplaces. Instead, the rule of thumb is now “if you can work from home, you must work from home”. Work permits will still be required for workers from Melbourne travelling into regional Victoria, and vice versa.

Other relaxations

Weddings can have up to ten guests, and funerals up to 20. Community sport will re-open for outdoor contact sport among competitors aged 18 and under. Outdoor non-contact sport (where participants can maintain a distance of 1.5 metres) is permitted with only the minimum number of people needed for a game.

 

 

From Monday 9 November 2020 

 

The 25-kilometre travel restriction will be removed, making intrastate travel possible, though face coverings will still be mandatory throughout Victoria. Plus, some additional changes have been announced for certain businesses and activities:

Hospitality venues

Capacity will be increased to 40 people indoors and 70 outdoors subject to density quotients.

Indoor gyms and fitness centres

You can open with limits including a maximum of 10 per class and a cap of 20 per venue.  Controls will be imposed such as recommendations to wear face masks, limits on shared equipment, time between groups and a requirement for a COVID-safe marshal on site.

Indoor pools

Indoor pools, including swimming classes, can open subject to pool maximum of 20 patrons or one person per four square metres.

 

In a year of great challenge, it can be hard keeping up with the latest COVID-safe requirements. For more details, head to the Victorian State Government Covid site.

 

For support with your working capital needs or to fund an investment in trading stock, plant and equipment or to hire new staff, get in touch with OnDeck online or call 1800 676 652.

 

 

 

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Prepared by OnDeck Capital Australia Pty Ltd ABN 28 603 753 215 (“OnDeck”) for general information purposes only. Content may belong to or have originated from third parties and OnDeck takes no responsibility for the accuracy, validity, reliability or completeness of any information. Information current as at 27 October 2020. You should not rely upon the material or information as a basis for making any business, financial or any other decisions. Loans issued in Australia are subject to the terms of a loan agreement issued by OnDeck. Loans are subject to lender approval. OnDeck® is a Registered Trademark. All rights reserved.

 

 

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