Member login
South Tasmania Lockdown - The fruit industry can continue to operate
Fruit Growers Tasmania | Saturday, 16 October 2021, 11.00am
Southern Tasmania is in lockdown from 6pm Friday 15 October to 6pm Monday 18 October.
The South Tasmania lockdown includes the municipalities of:
- Brighton
- Central Highlands
- Clarence
- Derwent Valley
- Glamorgan-Spring Bay
- Glenorchy
- Hobart
- Huon Valley
- Kingborough
- Sorell
- Southern Midlands
- Tasman
You must not enter or exit the lockdown area unless you have a permitted reason. In the case of the fruit industry a permitted reason includes work in the industry that cannot be undertaken at home.
The Fruit Industry can continue to operate during the lockdown.
All persons in southern Tasmania must stay at home unless they are "a permitted worker - a person working for a provider or business that is permitted to operate, and who cannot work from home". As set out on the Tasmanian Government’s COVID-19 website:
“Farming activities and other operations relating to agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, irrigation, permaculture, apiculture, grains, fibre production, dairy, flower industry, commercial fishing, aquaculture” are a permitted work or service.
So again, our fruit industry has been supported by the Tasmanian Government by being recognised as a permitted area of work during the lockdown. However, there are rules that must be followed even by permitted workplaces. Premises that are open during the lockdown must:
- have a COVID-19 Safety Plan;
- comply with density restrictions - one person per four square metres;
- comply with Check-in-Tas requirements (where applicable);
- ensure all staff and patrons wear face masks;
- take reasonable steps to ensure patrons entering the business are minimising their time in the business and buy what they intend to buy and then leave – no browsing;
- ensure physical distancing of staff and customers - one person per four square metres;
- ensure sufficient separation of people when entering, in or exiting the premises - one person per four square metres;
- ensure sufficient separation of people while in the foyer, lobby or other area designed for waiting - one person per four square metres; and
- provide click and collect or contactless delivery (where possible).
All efforts must be made for employees to work from home during the lockdown. In addition, you must:
- wear a face mask whenever you are outside your home;
- travel to and from your destination via the most direct route available without stopping, except to get fuel, rest or as required by law;
- not stay away from home for longer than is necessary to carry out your activity.
You may use public or passenger transport to leave your house for a permitted reason.
If you have people that need to travel to your workplace during the lockdown it might be advisable to issue them with a text, email or letter that identifies who they are, who they work for, and stating their work is unable to undertaken from home.
Vaccinations
There are currently no mandated requirements regarding vaccination status for the fruit industry, including during this current lockdown. However, it is relevant to note that the current home quarantine trial for eligible Tasmanian residents returning from regional NSW does require people to be fully vaccinated.
It is also interesting to note that the Victorian Government requires all essential workers to have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or be booked in for it by 22 October.
Undoubtedly vaccination and the vaccination status of the people who work in or visit our workplaces is a tricky issue currently, in the absence of any government mandates. So you really have to make your own call about what is in the best interests of your workplace.
But undoubtedly vaccination in our workplaces is an issue we need to tackle sooner or later.
- Some businesses have taken the approach of providing employees with an incentive to get vaccinated.
- Some businesses have had open discussions with their employees about their vaccination status.
- Some businesses have had no discussion.
As I said, in the absence of a government mandate this is a tricky area. Nonetheless, there is a duty of care required to be provided to all employees and those that visit a workplace. In addition, it remains the case that COVID-19 is not excluded from consideration under Workers’ Compensation if contracted within the workplace.
For our own part at Fruit Growers Tasmania, I have had open discussions with people about whether they are prepared to voluntarily discuss their vaccination status. I am happy to report all our people have been prepared to volunteer their vaccination status. 6 of our 7 people (86%) have been fully vaccinated. The one person who is not yet vaccinated has some medical complications that they are working through and are hopeful to resolve.
The issue of medical complications is a particularly difficult and complex issue, and one many of you might face in your workplaces. I know in my own case I want to protect the health and wellbeing of the person themselves, as well as balance the wider interests of our organisation, other employees and the industry.
Fruit Growers Tasmania Operations
We will be working from home on Monday 18 October. If you need us it would be best to email or call us on our mobiles. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call or email.
Further information is also available on the Tasmanian Government COVID-19 website as well as Business Tasmania or by emailing ask@business.tas.gov.au or calling them on 1800 440 026 8am-8pm Saturday 16 October, 9am-5pm Sunday 17 October or 8am-8pm Monday 18 October.
Take care and stay safe.
