The Queensland government has announced today that they are extending the current lockdown until 4pm Sunday, 8th August 2021. 

 

We would like to remind members that during these trying times, it is important to continue to display integrity and professionalism. We are relaying the information from Queensland Health and if you have any questions regarding these directions, please contact them on 13 42 68.

 

Ingestive Therapists

(Naturopaths, Nutritionists, Herbalists, Ayurveda, Homeopathy)

 

You can work if your work can be done via telehealth.

 

Manual Therapists

(Remedial Therapists and Myotherapists, Shiatsu and Oriental Remedial Therapists)

 

The current directive states:

 

"Massage therapy for the management or prevention of a disease, injury or condition, provided by a qualified massage therapist."

 

If you are able to justify the work you are doing under the above definition, then you can continue to work.

 

Again, if you have the ability to work via Telehealth, we suggest using that method.

 

If you have a clinic in a restricted premise, such as a gym or a wellness centre, that location will not be able to open. You can continue providing services from a location that is not a restricted venue.

 

AHPRA Registered Therapists

(Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine)

 

Allied Health, including AHPRA-regulated Allied Health is not restricted. You may continue working.

 

Mobile Clinic

No

 

Home-based Clinic

No. Unless it is via telehealth

The Directive is very clear, "no visitors at a residence".

We are continuing to get inquiries regarding home-based clinics. Below is taken directly from the Direction that is currently in place.

"No visitors at a residence

1. 11. Subject to paragraphs 12 to 14, a person who is an owner, resident, tenant, occupier, temporary occupier or person in control of a residence must not organise or allow any person who is not ordinarily a member of the person’s household to visit the residence during the locked down period.

       Example – visitors who are family members or close friends.

       Note – relatives staying temporarily from another State or Territory, or from within Queensland, at the time of commencement of this Direction are included as part of the household for the purposes of this Direction.

   12. Paragraph 11 does not prevent workers or volunteers entering a place of residence and they are not counted for the purpose of paragraph 11.

       Note – workers and volunteers must only interact with residents to the extent necessary to complete the work or volunteering.

   13. Paragraph 11 does not apply to a residential aged care facility, hospital or shared disability accommodation service. Paragraph 11 does not apply to an approved family day care service or stand-alone care service only for the purposes of conducting a business.

       Note – The Residential Aged Care Direction (No. 3), Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No. 21) and the Hospital Entry Direction (No. 2) or their successors restrict visitors to those facilities. Other Public Health Directions may be made applying to other types of facilities.

   14. Paragraph 11 does not apply to a residence of a person with disability or of a person receiving home aged care if it is necessary for a person to attend the residence to provide services to the person with disability or to the recipient of home aged care to meet their support needs.

   15. An owner, resident, tenant, occupier, temporary occupier or person in control of premises, including a residence, must take reasonable steps to encourage occupants of, and workers, volunteers or service providers entering the premises to practise physical distancing to the extent reasonably practicable."

 

Masks

This requirement has not changed for these locations. Masks are still required.

 

Restricted Areas

Restricted access is in place for the lockdown areas. This means that you will not be able to go in and out of the lockdown areas unless you meet one of the criteria listed in the Directive. Please click the link to read further.

 

You can also contact the 134COVID (13 42 68) if you would like clarification on the direction/restrictions.

 

Financial Support

The Queensland Government will be offering financial support to those who need it. This will be available to apply for from 7th August 2021. Please click the link to read more about what is on offer.

 

2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants

The Queensland Government has announced that $5,000 grants will be made available to small and medium businesses across Queensland affected by the current COVID-19 lockdown (commenced Saturday 31 July 2021) and lockdowns in other states.

The Queensland Government recognises the short interval between lockdowns in South East Queensland, and the unique circumstances faced by regional economies who are impacted by multiple border closures. These $5,000 grants will provide cashflow support for businesses to help them adapt to evolving circumstances.

Support payments will also be provided to affected large tourism and hospitality businesses within the lockdown areas.

The 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants will provide grants of $5,000 (excluding GST) to:

• employing small and medium businesses across Queensland that are impacted by the current SEQ lockdown; and
• large businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors operating in the 11 local government areas in lockdown.

 

We understand everyone's frustration during this time and we want you to know you are not alone. If we can assist you in any way, please contact us at [email protected].