7.00pm, 20th March, 2020
The Prime Minister has today announced additional restrictions on indoor, non-essential gatherings, which will have an impact on clubs. Clubs should note that formal guidance on these new measures has not yet been issued. ClubsNSW is engaging with the Government to obtain further information which we will provide in due course.
Restrictions on gatherings
The restrictions announced today limit patrons to one person per four square meters of space in an area. This means that an area that is 100-square meters in size would not be permitted to hold more than 25 people at any one time. It is understood the new restrictions are in addition to the 100-person cap, meaning that no more than 100 people can be in one area regardless of the actual floor space. It is understood that these new measures will take effect imminently, with the Prime Minister’s noting the new restrictions will commence on 20 March 2020, however formal confirmation has not yet been issued.
There is no change at this stage to gatherings in outdoor areas, which remains at 500 persons.
Status of staff in the kitchen
A number of clubs have enquired as to whether their kitchen areas (operated by staff) are considered “essential”, and therefore exempt from the restrictions. Although formal advice has not been provided, ClubsNSW notes these services were not considered essential in the order issued on Wednesday 18 March 2020. As such, it is unlikely that their status as non-essential has changed.
Therefore, clubs must ensure that the number of persons in the kitchen does not exceed 1 person per 4 square metres.
2.45pm, 20th March, 2020
Banking industry announcement on 6-month deferrals
This morning the Australian Banking Association (ABA) invited businesses with bank loans which are affected by COVID-19 to seek assistance from their bank. Banks have implemented a fast-track approval process. Member Clubs of all sizes (not just small businesses) are encouraged to contact their bank to seek deferred
payment arrangements for the next 6 months. More information can be found on the ABA’s website.
Deferral of payments to the ATO
The Australian Taxation Office is inviting businesses affected by COVID-19 to seek payment deferrals for GST, PAYG instalments and income tax. Clubs are encouraged to seek this support from the ATO. We understand approval is typically given in minutes. More information can be found on the ATO website.
1.30pm, 20th March, 2020
Banking industry announcement on 6-month deferrals
This morning the Australian Banking Association (ABA) invited businesses with bank loans which are affected by COVID-19 to seek assistance from their bank.
Banks have implemented a fast-track approval process.
Member Clubs of all sizes (not just small businesses) are encouraged to contact their bank to seek deferred payment arrangements for the next 6 months.
More information can be found on the ABA’s website (click here).
Deferral of payments to the ATO
The Australian Taxation Office is inviting businesses affected by COVID-19 to seek payment deferrals for GST,PAYG instalments and income tax.
Clubs are encouraged to seek this support from the ATO. We understand approval is typically given in minutes.
More information can be found on the ATO website (click here).
Workforce planning FAQs
Member Clubs are advised that there was an error in yesterday’s workforce planning FAQs (you will be required to use your ClubsNSW login details to access this page; due to high traffic, this page may be slow to load).
Part-time staff under the Award cannot have their hours unilaterally reduced to the minimum 8. Any reduction to their guaranteed hours would need to be via agreement. The FAQs document has been updated to reflect this.
For more information or any questions, please contact the ClubsNSW Members Enquiries Centre.