Partial easing of ACT restrictions

The ACT lockdown will be extended for another two weeks, until 11.59pm, Friday 17 September 2021.

While the lockdown will be extended, there will be amendments to restrictions to allow for some lower-risk outdoor activities.

The amendments to the Public Health Direction will come into effect from 5pm this Thursday (2 September), and include:

• one household (any size) or up to 5 people can gather outdoors for up to 2 hours for exercise or non-organised recreation.
• outdoor playgrounds, fitness stations and dog parks will reopen.
• the number of people able to attend a funeral increased to no more than 20 people (excluding the people necessary to conduct the funeral).
• the number of people able to attend a wedding increased to no more than 10 attendees (excluding the celebrant, but including persons being married and two witnesses).
• other religious ceremonies which are time critical are permitted to go ahead with no more than 10 people (excluding those conducting the service).
• the recommencement of services that operate outdoors and where physical distancing can be maintained, such as outdoor maintenance and gardening.

Masks will continue to be required at all times upon leaving home, including in workplaces, if you are aged 12 years or over.

TLA is seeking clarification from the ACT Government on the definition of maintenance and gardening and how this relates to landscape construction.

Construction partial reopening

As previously announced, from 3 September, the partial reopening of the construction sector will commence under stringent COVIDSafe requirements. These requirements will be actively enforced by Worksafe ACT and ACT Policing.

The ACT Chief Minister announced today the planned recommencement of residential construction work from Friday 10 September. More information will be provided as it is released. We will also continue to discuss with Government the opportunity for businesses to work weekends and public holidays for a period of time, to make up for lost time and the issue of penalty rates.

For those large scale construction projects that can re-start on 3 September. Please see documentation below that will need to be utilised.

ACT Construction Workers Permit

This permit is required for any authorised construction worker. The worker may carry a print out or an electronic copy of this permit when undertaking the permitted activity and when traveling to and from the destination at which the permitted activity takes place. It must be produced to WorkSafe ACT, ACT Health officials, Access Canberra Representatives and ACT Policing upon request. This form does not constitute an Exemption to travel to the ACT under the Public Health Directions.

Employers should save the template onto company letterhead, remove the ‘Draft’ watermark and ensure the full completion of the form.  Each authorised worker will be required to carry the completed form at all times when working or travelling to/from sites.

Click here to download the template.

COVID-19 Guidelines 

The ACT Government has released a document outlining the various compliance measures which will be required for construction works to be undertaken.  Click here to download a copy of the COVID-19 Construction COVID-19 requirements.

Please contact the team at TLA with any questions on (02) 9630 4844 or email team@landscapeassociation.com.au.