Support for your business during COVID-19

The following information was updated on Friday 24 June

Stay up to date with the latest advice and information via the Victorian Department of Health & Human Services 

Winter pandemic orders  

The Acting Chief Health Officer has provided advice that while some key measures can be safely lifted, others should remain until the end of winter.

From 11.59pm Friday 24 June the following changes to the Pandemic Orders come into effect:

  • Masks must still be worn on public transport, taxis, ride shares, and planes, but will no longer be required at airports. Masks are also still required in sensitive settings such as hospitals and care facilities.
  • Positive cases must still isolate for seven days from the day they took their test but may now leave home to drive a household member directly to or from education or work without leaving their vehicle. They can also leave home to get medical care, a COVID-19 test, or in an emergency, including the risk of harm.
  • To protect the most vulnerable during winter, three COVID-19 vaccine doses are still required for workers in residential aged care and disability care, healthcare, and custodial and emergency services, including police.
  • Government imposed third dose mandates in education, food distribution, meat and seafood processing and quarantine accommodation sectors will be lifted. In line with other jurisdictions around Australia, COVID-19 vaccination policies will be the responsibility of individual workplaces to consider as part of their workplace conditions.
  • Rules requiring general workers to work from home unless they are double-vaccinated are lifted. Employers can consider setting COVID-19 vaccination policies as part of their own workplace conditions.
  • Visitor caps to care facilities, including residential aged care and disability are removed. Residents can see any number of people, provided they test negative on a rapid antigen test that day. If a test is unavailable, a person can only be present for limited reasons such as end-of-life visits. Centres may introduce their own visitor rules to respond to local risk.

More information will be published after the orders come into effect at 11.59pm on Friday 24 June or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

Your COVIDSafe Plan 

It is mandatory for every Victorian business to have a COVIDSafe Plan and understand your responsibilities to keep your staff and customers safe. 

You can also access a collection of signage, posters and questionnaires to assist in communicating key messages to your staff and customers. 

Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program

Through the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program,  you can encourage your customers to claim 25% back on eligible dining and entertainment purchases of $40 or more.

Individuals can claim up to $125 in combined rebates across the program and the only action required from businesses is to provide a tax receipt to customers.

This is part of the Victorian Government Business Stimulus Package to support businesses after lockdowns.

 

Grants and Programs

Businesses may also be eligible for other assistance through other Victorian Government programs.

Manningham Council Financial Hardship Fund

If you are experiencing genuine financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 you can apply for a special payment arrangement with the Council for:

  • Rates
  • Business permits
  • Infringement

Mental Health Support 

Free, confidential wellbeing and mental health support is now available to business owners, your employees and family members. Find out more about support services.  

Partners in Wellbeing is also providing free support and advice to improve your wellbeing during COVID and beyond

Wellbeing and mental health support in languages other than English

Small Business Victoria

Click here for further information regarding how to plan, start and grow your business.

Manningham Business is here to support your business.

Leave us your details and a member of the Manningham Business team will get back to you.