PRINTERS OK TO KEEP PRINTING IN LOCKDOWN

Print and packaging businesses across the country are allowed to continue to keep operating, as new lockdown rules are implemented in states across the country to try and rein in the latest Covid-19 outbreak.

The exception is printers in Perth, who are not allowed to open, unless they are printing Covid-related materials.

Everywhere else print and packaging are classed as essential services, which means that under current restrictions they can remain open and can manufacture, but with certain conditions.

For areas apart from Perth in full lockdown, which currently include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, andTownsville, those conditions include allowing staff who can work from home to do just that, so admin and sales staff should where possible not be coming into the workplace.

It also means staff at work need to wear masks at all times. Social distancing needs to be maintained, which includes the 1.5m rule and maximum one person for every four sqm inside. A Covid-safe plan needs to be implemented, communicated and understood by staff. Details of any visitors need to be registered.

Visiting clients in their workplace is a grey area, but the PVCA urges caution in all respects. Sign and display installations can go ahead outdoors and indoors, except indoors where the public are allowed, for instance in supermarkets during opening hours, however installing Covid signage is allowed at any time there.

Metro Sydney is in lockdown until midnight on 9 July. South East Queensland, and Perth and Peel in WA are also in full lockdown, for the rest of the week. Regional NSW has less onerous restrictions. The New Zealand travel bubble is now paused for the whole of Australia except Victoria.

Today's figures revealed SA had its first case of the year, Queenland had three cases of community transmission. NSW saw 22 new cases, with no unlinked cases, giving hope that the outbreak is being contained. There was one case in Victoria.

Industry is bracing for ongoing lockdowns, which are set to be on and off until Australia's sluggish vaccine roll-out ramps up and enough of the population is protected from the virus to enable normal life to resume. The government has all but said that won't happen until next year.