We are receiving many calls from clients, and discussing peoples situations during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak. There is a lot of information to get through and we are trying our best to make it easier to understand all of the information that is coming through by breaking it down.
As part of the Covid-19 (Corona Virus) restrictions, Prime Minister Scott Morrison (Sco-Mo) announced on Tuesday Evening (24th March) that a wide range of businesses will be forced to close.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Announcement
The Transcript from the Prime Ministers Press Conference can be found here.
Business Closure Summary
- In terms of personal services where there is a lot of contact, between those providing that service in a premise and the patrons. This does however exclude health-related services in those areas, physiotherapists, things of that nature, health-related and allied health services but does include
- beauty therapy
- tanning,
- waxing,
- nail salons
- tattoo parlours
- spa
- massage parlours
- Food courts in shopping centres will be restricted to take away like cafes.
- In the retail space:
- Auction houses
- Gatherings together in auction rooms
- Real estate auctions
- Open house inspections
- Outdoor and indoor markets, excluding food markets like Flemington that are essential to food supply are now included. Each state will have their own guidelines for this though.
- Amusement parks and arcades are now included.
- Play centres and both indoor and outdoor are also now included
- Community and recreation centres
- health clubs
- fitness centres
- yoga
- barre
- spin facilities
- saunas
- bathhouses
- wellness centres
- Boot camps and personal training sessions are limited to a maximum of 10 people with strict social distancing rules enforced.
- Weddings will be restricted to five people including the couple, celebrant and witnesses.
- Funerals will be restricted to 10 people.
- Social sporting based activities, Example: Large groups of people gathering together to play soccer in a community oval and things of that nature
In addition to this
- Hairdressers and barber shops will continue to be able to provide those services but it is very important that they strictly manage the social distancing and limitations of the number of people in their premise. So that’s four square meters per person. And on top of that, to restrict the amount of time a patron is in the premises to no more than 30 minutes and preferably less.
- Boot camps and personal training is limited to a maximum of 10 people and the social distancing arrangements must be strictly enforced.
Sunday’s Closures
These closures and limitations are in addition to the ones announced on Sunday Evening
- Cinemas
- Nightclubs
- Casinos
- Gaming or gambling venue
- Adult entertainment venues
- Concert venues
- Theatres
- Arenas
- Auditoriums
- Stadiums
- Galleries
- Museums
- National institutions
- Historic sites
- Libraries
- Community centres
- Youth centres
- Local government, non-essential facilities
- Libraries
- Swimming pools
- Community facilities such as community halls
- Clubs
- RSL’s
- PCYC’s
Social Distancing
The prime minister also said that the following was no longer allowed:
- People have been told only to go outside if absolutely necessary, such as shopping for essentials and exercise.
- Social events such as family gatherings and birthday parties should be avoided.
- Barbecues and large family dinners should also be avoided.
- Australians will soon be banned from all international travel.
During questioning the prime minister also stated “In each of the retail premises, there will need to be displayed, to assist patrons, how many people can be inside that enclosed area in that shop at any one time. That’s just observing the four square metre rule, I would hope many retail premises were already doing that. “
We’re here for you
Although we are working from our homes, we are still able to work at full capacity. We understand that these are extremely difficult times. We are here for you when you need us.
Bec Purczel
Principle Accountant
Bec has a wide range of experience in many areas of accounting, and has a deep focus on assisting clients with personalised accounting services that are designed to suit their exact needs.