{"id":9017,"date":"2021-08-25T17:43:28","date_gmt":"2021-08-25T07:43:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/countax.com.au\/covid-19-resources\/weekly-digest-25-august-2021\/"},"modified":"2021-08-27T00:40:44","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T14:40:44","slug":"weekly-digest-25-august-2021","status":"publish","type":"weekly-digest","link":"https:\/\/countax.com.au\/weekly-digest\/weekly-digest-25-august-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Digest \u2013 27 August 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Australia Closes One-Way Travel Bubble from NZ<\/span><\/h3>\n

Australia has paused \u201cgreen zone\u201d flights from New Zealand<\/a> that allow Kiwis to travel to the country without going into quarantine. All passengers on flights originating in New Zealand up until 11.59pm (AEST) on 23 August 2021 will need to go into 14 days of supervised hotel quarantine. The pause is due to be reviewed on Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Zealand has already suspended quarantine-free flights from Australia because of the NSW outbreak, which means the bubble is now completely closed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sydney Faces Curfew and Longer Lockdown<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sydney\u2019s lockdown<\/a> is being extended until 30 September, as the Delta outbreak continues to grow.<\/span><\/p>\n

New South Wales reported a record number of cases yesterday. The new high local cases and deaths prompted Premier Gladys Berejiklian to require masks to be worn outdoors throughout the state at all times except when exercising.<\/span><\/p>\n

From Monday, a curfew of 9pm to 5am has been imposed in western Sydney\u2019s council areas of concern. Vaccinations will also be mandatory for all healthcare workers by the end of next month, and for childcare workers and disability support workers in the council areas of concern by 30 August.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pfizer Vaccine Eligibility Expanded in Victoria<\/span><\/h3>\n

All Victorians aged 16 to 39 will be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine<\/a> at state-run hubs from Wednesday, as the state tries to bring its Delta outbreak under control.<\/span><\/p>\n

The lockdown is due to expire on 2 September, but there\u2019s no word yet on whether this will be pushed through. However, given the number of cases, it seems increasingly unlikely that the restrictions will be lifted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Extra $40 to $50 Million in COVID-19 Assistance for Childcare Centres<\/span><\/h3>\n

After the Victorian government\u2019s announcement at the weekend to limit childcare centre attendees to the children of essential workers, Education Minister Alan Tudge said $40 to $50 million a week in new support for centres would be provided.<\/span><\/p>\n

The new support package<\/a> will provide 25% of a childcare centre\u2019s pre-lockdown revenue if it is subjected to orders for children not to attend, and 40% of an after-school care centre\u2019s revenue. It will be available to all childcare centres locked down for at least 4 weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the funding is expected to provide immediate relief to about 3,600 services caring for children in greater Sydney, as well as another 1,200 services in Melbourne and Canberra.<\/span><\/p>\n

Victorian Business Costs Assistance Program Round 2 July Extension<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Victorian Government\u2019s Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension (BCAP2e) gives eligible businesses that had not previously applied for the Program in June, or have since become eligible, with the opportunity to apply for the equivalent of the July Top-Up Payments.<\/span><\/p>\n

The program offers grants of $4800 to eligible businesses, including employing and non-employing businesses, depending on their industry sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read the eligibility criteria here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

All hotspots: COVID-19 Disaster Payment for recognised lockdowns<\/span><\/h3>\n

This Federal Government support is lump sum payment for workers who cannot earn income because of a state public health order. You can check your eligibility here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

NSW Grants<\/span><\/h3>\n

The NSW Government will be offering financial support to businesses or not-for-profit organisations impacted by the recent COVID-19 restrictions and stay-at-home orders.<\/span><\/p>\n

NSW: Micro-business grant<\/span><\/h4>\n

The micro-business grant is a $1500 fortnightly payment for businesses with a turnover between $30,000 and $75,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

To check your eligibility and apply, visit the Service NSW website<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

COVID-19 Business Grant<\/span><\/h4>\n

A one-off payment to help businesses, sole traders or not-for-profit organisations impacted by the current Greater Sydney COVID-19 restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grants between $7,500 and $15,000 are available to eligible businesses depending on the decline in turnover experienced during the restrictions. For eligibility criteria and to apply, visit the Service NSW website<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

JobSaver payment<\/span><\/h4>\n

JobSaver is a fortnightly payment to help maintain employee headcount (as at 13 July) and provide cashflow support to businesses. To check your eligibility and apply, visit the Service NSW website<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Small business fees and charges rebate<\/span><\/h4>\n

If you are a sole trader, the owner of a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW, you may be eligible for a small business fees and charges rebate of $1500 aimed at helping businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Applications are open and you can check your eligibility here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can view more NSW Government COVID-19 Support Packages here<\/a>, including Jobs Plus, Sydney CBD Friday vouchers, Payroll tax support and support for the tourism industry. Get in touch with us if you have any questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

QLD COVID-19 Business Support Grant<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your business may be eligible for financial support through the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants<\/a>. $5,000 grants will be made available to small and medium businesses across Queensland affected by COVID-19 lockdowns and lockdowns in other states. You must have experienced a 30% reduction in turnover as a result of the lockdown.<\/span><\/p>\n

Applications will open in mid-August so we will keep you updated.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Business Queensland website<\/a> has an overview of the range of assistance available.<\/span><\/p>\n

ATO support for those affected by COVID-19 restrictions or disasters<\/span><\/h3>\n

The ATO has a range of support options to help those affected by disasters or those experiencing challenges due to continuing COVID-19 restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ATO may be able to:<\/span><\/p>\n