Covid Cops close Perth printing plants

Perth print businesses have been closed down by the police, with the city lockdown appearing to operate under different conditions to the rest of the country, where print remains open.

One prominent local Perth printer told Print21 that: “We assumed we could stay open, as we knew printers in the rest of the country were. We were at work as usual, the presses were humming, but then the police came in and said we had to close, and close there and then.

"They said we could print Covid-related print but that was all. I told them that was not how print worked, but to no avail. We had to shut down on the spot, and send all our staff home.”

Perth has seen one infection this week, which sent the city into a four day lockdown, which is due to end today.

Printers under lockdown in the eastern states have been allowed to continue operating, under five main caveats, with print classed as an essential service, whether that print is directly related to Covid or not. The same goes for packaging businesses.

Those caveats 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. And 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.

Sydney remains in lockdown until next Friday, with another 31 cases today. South East Queensland, Townsville, Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth and Peel were all due to come out of lockdown today, but Brisbane will have another day in lockdown. Regional NSW also has some restrictions. Victoria currently has no cases nor restrictions, but has banned anyone from NSW entering the state.