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| COVID-19: Update from WALGA President and CEO |
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| IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS |
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In this issue...
Quick Links
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| Revised COVID Event Guidelines Released |
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| Updated COVID event guidelines released by the Department of Health are particularly relevant for Local Governments as event organisers and reviewers of COVID Event Plans. |
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The new guidelines follow a review of the existing COVID Event Plan approval process and the trialling of a number of different event formats over recent months.
It has been found that despite the implementation of a comprehensive COVID Event Plan and the presence of COVID Safety Marshals, some high-risk events, particularly those involving alcohol and central congregation points (such as stages, some performances, dance floors, mosh pits) are unable to occur in a COVID safe manner.
The revised guidelines include more prescriptive requirements for events involving more than 500 patrons, including for events that require additional Local Government approval to proceed. The guidelines apply to:
- seated, staged concerts (with permanent and temporary seating)
- other concerts where patrons can be expected to remain seated
- music and other festivals
- stages for events with less than 1500 patrons, and
- ambient music performances.
The Department of Health has acknowledged that many stakeholders were hoping that event restrictions may have been eased at this time. However it considers that increased levels of community transmission in the eastern States, coupled with rising numbers of COVID-19 cases internationally and the threat of a new strain of the virus mean this is not yet possible.
A further reassessment of event requirements will be undertaken in March, or earlier if warranted.
Further information on event requirements can be found here. |
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| For more information, click here or email the Department of Health Public Events Team or call 9285 5500. |
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| Checking of Contact Register Compliance |
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| The Department of Health has provided further information on referrals to Police and the issuing of non-compliance notices by Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) to support the monitoring of compliance with contact register requirements. |
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EHOs authorised under the Public Health Act 2016 and Food Act 2008 are authorised under the Emergency Management Act 2005 to enter a place specified in Schedule 1 of the Closure and Restriction (Limit the Spread) Direction (No. 10) and request or inspect COVID contact information / contact registers.
Monitoring and compliance of contact registers is only expected to form an extension of routine inspections of premises/places specified in Schedule 1 of the Direction that are already regulated by Local Government.
Contact register Non-compliance notice and Non-Compliance Referral Form templates have now been provided to Local Governments.
The State Emergency Coordinator’s Directorate is collating contact register inspection statistics and has asked all Local Governments to report each Wednesday on the number of inspections, cautions, non-compliance notices issued, referrals to WA Police as well as any other feedback. Responses and queries can be directed to emcommunitysmail@secd.wa.gov.au |
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| Further information on contact register checking and reporting is available in the Environmental Health Update. |
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| Lotterywest COVID-19 Relief Fund - Third Phase |
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| The COVID-19 Relief Fund has moved into the third phase; the three current 2020-21 programs will continue, but with a broader scope to fund initiatives which support recovery aligned to the program’s outcomes. |
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The available funding programs are:
To manage the unprecedented number of applications, Lotterywest will be assessing proposals based on more targeted priorities within each program. The website has more information on the targeted priorities.
Potential applicants can also sign up on the mailing list to stay up to date with further details, including timeframes. |
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| For more information, email the Lotterywest Grants Team or call 133 777. |
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| WALGA |
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ONE70, LV1, 170 Railway Parade,
West Leederville, WA 6007
PO Box 1544, West Perth, WA 6872
Tel: (08) 9213 2000 | Fax: (08) 9213 2077
Email: info@walga.asn.au
www.walga.asn.au |
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| © Copyright Western Australian Local Government Association 2014 |
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