CORONAVIRUS

REPORT | August - September 2020

More industries to benefit from grant

THE NSW Government has extended the deadline for applications to the $3,000 Small Business Recovery Grant and expanded the number of highly impacted industries able to apply.

Th e deadline for grant applications has been extended to 31 August 2020 with 18 additional highly impacted industries soon able to apply for the $3,000 Small Business Recovery Grant.

Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the grants, funded from the $750M Small Business Support Fund, would help small businesses highly impacted by COVID-19.

Treasurer Dominic Perrott et said more than 29,000 applications have already been received from small businesses and more than $71M has been paid out since the grants opened on 1 July 2020.

“It’s important we continue to support the economic recovery and we know our support measures are playing a vital role in keeping people in jobs and businesses in business as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Perrott et said.

“Th is grant follows the success of the Small Business Support Fund grant, which closed on 30 June 2020 with more than $500M paid to more than 50,000 businesses helping owners pay for unavoidable expenses.”

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the Small Business Recovery Grant is part of the NSW Government’s more than $15B COVID-19 stimulus support measures.

“Th e Small Business Recovery Grant provides between $500 and $3,000 for expenses to get enterprises back to business, including for marketing and advertising expenses, fi t-out changes and training staff on how to work safely under the current health conditions,” Mr Dominello said.

Th e Small Business Recovery Grant can only be used for expenses from July 1 and where no other Government support is available.

Small business owners can contact Service NSW for more information about eligibility on 13 77 88.

The 18 industries added to the highly impacted list:

1. Building and Other Industrial

Cleaning Services 2. Creative Artists, Musicians,

Writers and Performers 3. Employment Placement and

Recruitment Services 4. Interurban and Rural Bus Transport 5. Labour Supply Services 6. Metal Coating and Finishing 7. Motion Picture and Video Production 8. Music and Other Sound Recording Activities 9. Optometry and Optical Dispensing 10. Other Allied Health Services 11. Other Goods and Equipment

Rental and Hiring not elsewhere classified 12. Other Motor Vehicle and Transport Equipment Rental and

Hiring 13. Other Social Assistance Services 14. Physiotherapy Services 15. Post-production Services and

Other Motion Picture and Video Activities 16. Printing 17. Takeaway Food Services 18. Urban Bus Transport (Including

Tramway).

Good, but no room for complacency

NSW has reached a major milestone new cases and controlling the spread of in the fight against COVID-19, with COVID-19. more than one million tests carried A total of 1,007,662 tests have been out in NSW since January. done since testing began, including

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the 18,524 over the past 24 hours. people of NSW should be proud of this “NSW Health Pathology have been achievement and thanked the community the quiet achievers during the pandemfor doing their part to help keep NSW ic, working incredibly hard behind the COVID-safe. scenes, doing almost 60 per cent of these

“NSW has one of the highest tests, averaging 7,500 a day,” Mr Hazzard COVID-19 testing rates in the world and said. reaching one million tests already is an “Th ey’ve also received around incredible result,” Ms Berejiklian said. 290,000 registrations for their pioneering

“I want to thank everyone in NSW SMS Results Service that has halved the who has come forward and been tested. average waiting time for negative results.” Th is needs to continue – if you have the Mr Hazzard warned that the virus mildest of symptoms it is so important is likely circulating among people in the you come forward and get tested. community with mild symptoms and

“If you have already been tested and the risk of outbreaks and a resurgence of were negative but develop symptoms cases remains. again, you need to come forward and get “While this is a fantastic response tested again.” from the community, we must keep up

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the fi ght against COVID-19 and not high testing numbers is critical to fi nding allow complacency to set in.”

Nominations open for COVID SAFE businesses

NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2020 SafeWork NSW Awards, acknowledging NSW businesses that demonstrate an outstanding approach to work health and safety.

Minister for Bett er Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson said this year’s awards will recognise businesses who’ve implemented innovative and eff ective measures to protect their employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nominations are now open and, given this year’s unique circumstances, we will focus on businesses who have best responded to the signifi cant challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace,” Mr Anderson said.

“It’s not been an easy year for our businesses, and this year’s awards are a great opportunity to say thank you to the employers who have gone above and beyond to adapt their working methods to make sure their workers are safe.” 2020 marks the 17th anniversary of the SafeWork NSW Awards, which will be broken down into three sub-categories: • Small business – non-govern- ment (two regional and two metropolitan). • Large business – non-govern- ment (two regional and two metropolitan) • Government.

“Non-government businesses across NSW that are selected for recognition are eligible for a $3,000 safety rebate for their business.” Mr Anderson said.

Nominations for the 2020 SafeWork Awards are open until August 9, with winners announced in October. To nominate, visit https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/advice-and-resources/campaigns/safework-awards

Help for hard-hit creative sector

THE hard-hit creative sector will that industry to navigate the current “Th is is a wonderful opportunity benefit as five new Business situation,” he said. for the NSW arts and cultural sector Connect advisors get to work, “Th e advisors can also provide that has been so greatly valued by providing free-of-charge adinformation about government supthe community over this diffi cult vice to small businesses affected by port options for the NSW arts and time.” COVID-19. cultural sector and put organisations “Th e arts sector supports about

Minister for Finance and Small in touch with State agencies.” 118,000 jobs across NSW and conBusiness Damien Tudehope said Minister for the Arts Don tributes $16.4B directly and indirectthe creative industries were some Harwin encouraged small creative ly to NSW’s Gross State Product.” of the most impacted industries by organisations to take up the opporTh e new advisors are among an COVID-19 and the new Business tunity for advice from Business Conadditional 40 to be engaged through Connect advisors would be able nect about the support measures Business Connect to assist small to share their insights with small available. businesses as they deal with the businesses. “All guidance provided by Busiimpacts of COVID-19.

“In total, there are now 10 ness Connect advisors is currently In total, Business Connect has Business Connect advisors with free of charge and has already proven more than 110 business advisors. creative backgrounds and they have itself to be invaluable to 6700 small Phone 1300 134 359 for more the skills to help small businesses in businesses,” Mr Harwin said. information. CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Curing the ills of social media

RTA urges Covid-19 crackdown as misinformation spreads

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

SOCIAL media’s key role in the spread of misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated it can be a dangerously petulant child in the hands of the wrong people.

We have known for years that Social Media is like the old Wild West with virtually no rules and regulations. Shoot fi rst and ask questions later.

Without the constraints of proper editing and editorial guidelines and legislation it has been free to make every kind of ridiculous claim from alien invasions to every kind of conspiracy theory under the sun.

Th en along came the pandemic and everything changed. What was funny and silly and entertaining took a serious turn when people started dying from Covi19 because they believed the advice of unqualifi ed self-appointed ‘experts’.

To give you a ‘for instance’, I spend a lot of time on Facebook through my media work and these are just a few of the Furpheys I have come across: • Bill Gates started the Pandemic so he could market his vaccine.

The vaccine contains a tiny implant that will be able to track your every move. False of course but people swear it’s right. • Covid-19 can be prevented by any number of drugs, potions and herbs, to name just a few.

NO! Th e success complements the NSW • Covid-19 is being spread by a mysterious vapor trails dropped by Chinese jets. NO! • Covid-19 is being caused by newly installed 5G phone towers. NO! • Covid-19 is a pandemic caused by world business leaders. NO! • Praying will prevent Covid-19.

NO! • The lockdown is a plan to control and take over the masses. NO!

Th e list goes on and on and any intelligent person with commonsense realizes they are garbage but the two things Social Media lacks which are essential in a time of crisis are commonsense and human intelligence.

Th ey are the two things we must add to make it useable. And they are the two things oft en missing and the latest “outbreak” of misinformation could provide to be the deadliest of all.

Social media ‘experts’ are now telling the community to refuse Covid-19 tests for any number of outlandish reasons

Dangerous misinformation

Th e dangerous misinformation is being targeted by Responsible Technology Australia, bett er known as RTA.

It says Social Media needs to grow up and be transparent about the ‘infodemic’.

It said social media needed to be compelled to be transparent about the extent of its misinformation problem, particularly when it came to false information and conspiracy theories about COVID-19.

Th e policy group which advocates for the ethical progression of technology says the fi rst step to countering false information about coronavirus online is showing the size of the problem.

“We have no clear picture on why people are refusing coronavirus tests, but we do know that there are fast growing conspiracy theories hampering the government’s public health measures,” Chris Cooper, executive director of RTA, said.

“Facebook and other social media platforms consistently say they are acting on misinformation, but they’ve never been transparent about the size or extent of the problem.”

RTA is calling on the social media platforms to produce a live list of the most viral content about coronavirus, to fi nally give the public visibility on what

information is circulating in the community.

“We don’t let restaurants just say their kitchens are clean - we have random inspections and we investigate any food poisoning, Mr Cooper said.

“We don’t just accept people are paying their taxes - the tax offi ce audits people. We don’t blindly trust construction fi rms - we have building inspectors,” Mr Cooper said.

“Every important service provider or industry in our country has an inspection and enforcement method except Facebook and other social media giants. It’s time for social media to grow up and respond to proper public oversight.

“Because regardless of how we use social media, or whether we use it at all – we are all aff ected by the current lack of

NSW leads on virtual health care

The NSW Government will investigate and clinicians – and that’s why the a wider roll-out of virtual healthcare NSW Government will continue services following the successful to invest in the technology which expansion of the NSW virtual health provides easy to access, hospital in system during COVID-19. the home style care.

accountability” he said. Government’s record spend on health, Nation’s leaders with more than $26B invested in the “We are already nation leaders NSW health care system over the past with our record health infrastrucyear. ture program and now we want to

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW lead the country in virtual health patients and clinicians have embraced technology”. virtual healthcare, with a 700 per cent secondary appointments, aft er a patient’s A recent survey of patients treated increase in the use of virtual health serinitial diagnosis at a face-to-face consulby the new RPAvirtual model in Sydney vices over the four months from February tation. Local Health District found: to May 2020, compared with the same “Traditionally, less than a quarter of • 89 per cent said the technologies period last year. a per cent of all outpatient services are used by RPAvirtual improved

“Th e social distancing requirements delivered via videoconference in NSW. their access to care and treatthat became a necessity with COVID-19 However, by May 2020 this had risen to ment; led to a rapid ramp-up of NSW Health’s four per cent. • 80 per cent felt confident at virtual care system – with more than “Th is rapid expansion allowed patients home knowing their symptoms 82,000 outpatient appointments delivered to be cared for in their own homes withwere monitored daily; and via videoconference over four months,” out the inconvenience of travelling outside • 72 per cent said the wearable Ms Berejiklian said. their home. monitoring devices they were

“Virtual healthcare has proven to be “Virtual health technology is proving provided were easy to use. particularly eff ective for follow up and to be a game-changer for both patients Health Minister Brad Hazzard said

Unsafe businesses risk penalties of $55k

NSW businesses must follow the State “Th anks to the hard work of the commuMinister for Customer Service Victor Government’s COVID safety warnings nity, thousands of businesses and have been Dominello said help and assistance is availand public health orders or risk a penalable to reopen their doors and welcome back able for businesses. ty of up to $55,000. customers,” Ms Berejiklian said. “Downloading an industry specifi c safety

More than 117,500 COVID safety plans “While communities embrace the easing plan and registering as COVID Safe is simple have been downloaded in less than a month of restrictions and we kick start the economy, and can be done online. Service NSW can but businesses also need to register to prosafety must come fi rst and businesses cannot help with any questions,” Mr Dominello said. vide customers with confi dence. be complacent. “Customers are encouraged to give feed

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there are “Whether it’s a café, construction busiback to businesses. Our focus in June was on 10,500 registered COVID Safe businesses ness, cinema or sports club, all organisations educating industry; while our focus in July across NSW but she would like to see this must ensure the safety of staff and customers. will be on compliance.” number increase. Th ere are no more excuses.” Any business found in breach of the CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 virtual health had proven to be particularly useful in rural, remote and regional areas of NSW, where residents have been able to access a wider range of services without travelling long distances.

“Patients have said while initial face to face contact with their treating clinician is important, follow up appointments by telehealth are well received,” Mr Hazzard said.

“It means patients in regional and rural areas don’t have the stress of travelling long distances to hospital and have bett er access to specialists.”

Hunter New England and Western NSW Local Health Districts have been early adopters of virtual healthcare, which has been further expanded over recent months.

It is a Premier’s Priority to reduce preventive visits to hospital by fi ve per cent by 2023 and virtual health is an important element in achieving this goal.

Th e NSW Government has invested $75M over two years to support virtual health services.

public health orders will be held to account and could face a penalty of up to $55,000 or an on the spot fi ne of $5000.

Breach of orders made under the Public Health Act 2010 is a criminal off ence and att racts heavy penalties. In the case of any business, the maximum penalty is $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day the off ence continues.

BAD HABITS OF COVID-19

We went on a lockdown BENDER

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

HAVING a drink is an accepted way of relieving stress after a hard day’s work, but during the COVID- 19 lockdown many of us went overboard.

Th e weeks of sitt ing at home were too much for one in fi ve Aussies who now admit they drank too much during the crisis.

Eating too much was one problem we all faced and it became a source of merriment on social media and in the socially distanced general community.

However, the drinking problem has only emerged since restrictions were eased and for many it has turned into a bad habit they cannot escape.

Twenty percent of Australians wished they had drunk less alcohol during the COVID-19 lockdown, according to a new survey from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

And that is only people who owned up to having a problem. Casual drinking every few days also noticeably increased amongst my business associates, friends and relatives.

Th e survey of 1000 Australians aged 18-65 also found a similar number, nearly 20%, want to reduce the amount of alcohol they have been consuming recently.

Th e release of the data comes as the Alcohol and Drug Foundation launches a new national health campaign – Break the Habit – revealing that it takes on average only around 66 days to form a habit – roughly the same amount of time many Australians spent in lockdown.

It is a fact that most Aussies are unaware of, with the poll data showing that fewer than 10% of Australians were able to accurately estimate how long on average it takes to form a new habit.

Habit formation expert from the University of Melbourne, Professor Terry

Bowles, said many of us may have picked up or formed new habits during the last few months without even realising it.

“Th e COVID-19 experience will have taught people diff erent things, but for almost all of us, it has shown than we can quickly change our daily routines.”

Routine behaviours

“Routine behaviors which can have a profound impact on our lives do not take a long time to form. So, as restrictions are gradually lift ed across Australia and we emerge from months of isolation, we have passed the threshold of time required to establish new habits.

“Th at means the things we have been doing during isolation that we maybe did not do before, such as increased levels of exercise or an earlier bedtime, will be easy to keep doing. Similarly, if we started or expanded on unhelpful or unhealthy behaviors in isolation, such as increased alcohol consumption, we may fi nd it hard to revert back to pre-isolation levels.”

Th e Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s new data shows that while 20% of Australians consumed less alcohol during the lockdown, a concerning number increased the amount they were drinking.

“Enough time has passed for behaviors picked up in lockdown to become entrenched. Now is the time for Australians to reflect on their recent drinking.”

- Dr Erin Lalor.

At least 12% of people drank every day during lockdown and 1 in 10 said that, on average, they drank more than the recommended National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) draft guidelines to reduce the risks from drinking alcohol, consuming more than 10 standard drinks per week. Th is increases the risk of alcohol-related injury and diseases like cancer.

Th e Foundation’s Break the Habit campaign highlights that even small increases to the amount of alcohol you drink can become harder to shift over time.

Th e campaign video features a ‘creature’ representing the litt le habit of drinking more than usual that some Australians picked up during lockdown. Th e campaign encourages people to consider their recent drinking patt erns, helps them recognise any problem signs and what to do to turn them around.

Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt welcomed the new campaign, which is funded by the Australian Government.

“Th e Break the Habit campaign has an important message in encouraging Australians to refl ect on changes to their lifestyles in recent months, particularly around increased alcohol consumption,” Mr Hunt said. “It’s more important than ever that we prioritise our health and wellbeing. Th e less alcohol people consume, the lower the risk of alcohol-related accidents, injuries, dependence and chronic illness, such as cancer. Less alcohol can also help people feel less stressed or anxious, sleep bett er, lose weight, improve relationships and save money.”

Alcohol and Drug Foundation CEO Dr Erin Lalor said given how tough this year had been, it was not surprising people had looked for diff erent ways to cope, including increasing their alcohol consumption.

“Th e last few months have been incredibly hard for everyone, particularly for those who have lost work, social connectedness and especially for those who have lost loved ones. We’ve all been trying our best under challenging, never-before-seen circumstances,” Dr Lalor said.

“Enough time has passed for behaviors picked up in lockdown to become entrenched. Now is the time for Australians to refl ect on their recent drinking, so that litt le habits developed over the past couple of months, don’t turn into a big problem in the future.”

Local businesses certifi ed COVID-Safe

LOCAL businesses are encouraged to try-specifi c information under the one roof, “Following the COVID-19 safe requirecheck, test and promote their COVIDincluding downloadable badges for busiments is not optional. We need to safeguard safe credentials as a way of minimising nesses with COVID-safe plans to display in the health and safety of our community the potential spread of COVID-19 on their premises, so customers know they have while also ensuring local businesses can the Central Coast. the tick of approval. remain operational.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Cen“Every single business must do the three Th e Public Health Orders allow for tral Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam steps – complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan, penalties of up to $55,000, and a further Crouch said the latest data shows 590 register as a COVID-safe business, and down$27,500 penalty for each day an off ence Central Coast businesses have received a load and display COVID-safe materials.” continues, for businesses that breach these COVID-safe tick of approval. Mr Crouch said non-compliant busirequirements. On the spot fi nes can also be

“It’s encouraging to see 590 local businesses could face signifi cant penalties. issued. nesses already certifi ed as COVID-safe but “Th e COVID-safe requirements are hundreds more across the Coast must do now being strictly enforced by NSW Police, the same,” Mr Crouch said. Liquor & Gaming inspectors and NSW For more information, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/

“Th e NSW Government has put indusHealth offi cials,” Mr Crouch said. covid-19/covid-safe-businesses.

Postcode Number of COVIDsafe businesses

2083 4 2250 175 2251 40 2256 21 2257 41 2258 7 2259 103 2260 38 2261 79 2262 24 2263 52

Sanitisation station improving vehicle safety

THE NSW Government’s sanitisation Mr Crouch said the sanitisation serport system, but we also want to ensure lostation at West Gosford is enhancing vice is free and will help to keep drivers cal taxis and Ubers are also COVID-safe. safety for point-to-point transport and passengers safe during COVID-19. “NSW Government vehicles includvehicles and creating new job oppor“Vehicle sanitisation includes disining Ambulance, Police and HealthShare tunities for Central Coast residents. fecting high-touch areas like outside and vehicles are also eligible for the sanitisa

Parliamentary Secretary for the Ceninside door handles, window controls, tion service to further support the needs tral Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam headrests and payment terminals,” Mr of our most vulnerable passengers.” Crouch said a total of 16 staff had been Crouch said. Th e sanitisation station is open from employed at the sanitisation station. “All point-to-point transport 7am to 7pm on weekdays and from 8am

“Th e service began operating on 29 including taxis, Ubers, hire vehicles to 5pm on Saturdays. Th e station is locatJuly and has sanitised 474 vehicles in this “Central Coast Taxis is contracted and community transport vehicles are ed at 7 Merinee Road West Gosford and time,” Mr Crouch said. by the NSW Government to operate eligible for the complimentary onceis operated by Central Coast Taxis.

“It’s fantastic that every single one of the sanitisation station and has comper-vehicle-per-day service. the 16 people employed at the sanitisamitt ed to also provide long-term job “Th e NSW Government has worked For more information, go to: www.pointtopoint. tion station are Central Coast locals. opportunities for these staff .” hard to create a COVID-safe public transnsw.gov.au/sanitisation-stations. 24 CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020