6 November 2020 / COVID-19

Travel Restrictions

Travel Restrictions

Guide for Hutchies’ People Intending to Travel

Hutchies’ company-wide restriction on all interstate travel in place since July has now been revised. This update is intended to detail Hutchies’ expectations around travel moving forward. As indicated by Greg Quinn in his email to all company members on October 30, Hutchies will continue to review the situation and send a further update after our Christmas shutdown period.

State and Territory governments have now either opened borders to other states, or are intending to do so shortly. An overview of current border status is provided below.

Hutchies’ general position has not changed. We must remain cautious, and continue to employ the measures Hutchies and other Constructors have put in place since the start of the pandemic.

We are also introducing some additional measures relating to travel to ensure that Hutchies’ people and workplaces are kept as safe as possible as border arrangements change. Read on for more information.

Considering Travel? Please Read

>	As always, government health advice in each State and Territory must be followed in the first instance.
>	Please consider whether the proposed travel is absolutely necessary. Video conferencing is widely available and can often be just as effective.
>	If you must travel interstate to (or through) a major metropolitan area for work, we request that you are tested for COVID-19 when you return.
>	Whilst awaiting your test results, you should self-isolate and if applicable, work from home (or your nominated accommodation).
>	If travelling to a major metropolitan area for personal reasons, we highly encourage you to get tested on your return.
>	If you are working away from your usual place of residence, we request that you do not attend a Hutchies’ office or site when you are visiting home, unless absolutely necessary and only after your test result has come back negative.
>	Even if you are only travelling interstate to a major metropolitan area for a short period of time (e.g. a day or two), Hutchies’ position on testing remains the same regardless of duration.
>	Although we continue to monitor State and Territory hotspot lists and outbreak locations, Hutchies’ testing requirement is currently broadly applicable to travel to all major metropolitan areas.
>	Travel bookings will continue to be monitored and a reminder of these guidelines will be sent to anyone intending to travel.

Interstate Travel & Border Restrictions

Updated 18 November 2020

As of 30 October 2020, Greg Quinn announced revised travel restrictions applicable to all Hutchies' people travelling interstate to major metropolitan areas. See the Toolbox announcement for more info.

States and Territories can apply their own restrictions, including closing their state borders and additional quarantine requirements. Below is a list detailing restrictions in place in each as well as links to the relevant government website for more information.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Borders closed to:

Only ACT residents and exempt travellers can travel from Victoria and they must quarantine. All non-essential travel to and from SA is discouraged, with public health teams meeting inbound flights from SA at Canberra Airport. The border is open to other states.

New South Wales (NSW)

Borders closed to:

The Victorian border is closed until November 23, with a permit scheme in place for border residents and those in transit. NSW residents heading home from Victoria must fly to Sydney and quarantine. The border is open to other states, but NSW residents are urged to delay non-essential travel to SA.

Northern Territory (NT)

Borders closed to:

Greater Melbourne
Greater Adelaide

Interstate travellers can enter without quarantine from all but Greater Melbourne and greater Adelaide, which are classified COVID hotspots. Arrivals who have been in a hotspot in the previous 14 days face supervised quarantine, at a cost of $2500. All travellers must complete a border entry form.

Queensland (QLD)

Borders closed to:

VIC
Greater Adelaide and some areas of SA
Greater Sydney

The border is closed to Victoria and Greater Sydney, but is open to other parts of NSW. Queenslanders can travel to areas outside of the 32 LGAs of Greater Sydney. The border is also closed to 20 LGAs in SA, including Adelaide. All travellers need to apply for a Queensland Border Declaration Pass.

South Australia (SA)

Borders closed to:

VIC (some border communities exempt but testing required)

The state is in strict lockdown as of midnight, November 18. The border with Victoria is formally closed until December 1, but chief health officer Nicola Spurrier has urged “very limited movement between states”, and other states have imposed restrictions on SA.

Tasmania (TAS)

Borders closed to:

Travellers from low-risk areas – NSW, QLD, ACT, WA, NT and NZ – can register with Tas e-Travel and need not quarantine. Victoria and SA are classified medium risk. Visitors need a G2G PASS and must quarantine.

Victoria (VIC)

Borders are open.

Victoria's borders are open, but South Australians have been urged to cancel non-essential travel to the state. Screening measures at Melbourne airport for SA passengers may require some to quarantine. Other states’ rules impact travel from Victoria to other parts of Australia.

Western Australia (WA)

The border is closed to SA. Travellers from NT, QLD, ACT, and TAS can enter without quarantine having completed a mandatory G2G PASS registration and declaration process. Travellers from NSW and VIC must quarantine for 14 days with a COVID-19 test on Day 11.

Regarding Hotspots

Hutchies has developed a new interactive hotspot map showing affected areas to make it easier.

A number of States and Territories have now imposed strict mandatory quarantine requirements (or advice) specifically on travellers from Victoria and New South Wales. Other States and Territories have extended or placed on hold easing of border restrictions in light of the situation in Victoria and New South Wales. Contact Tabi Ward should you have any questions regarding travel to and from hotspot areas as different restrictions apply.

Travelling interstate for work is considered essential in most states and territories (except QLD), however you will likely need to apply for a border pass or exemption depending on the location. If you plan to travel across borders, speak to your Team Leader about it first.

All travel bookings are being monitored to ensure each traveller is made aware of restrictions and this will remain in place until all restrictions are lifted.

Please contact Tabi Ward for assistance with exemption letters, border passes and other information regarding travel.

Getting Tested

IF YOU TRAVEL INTERSTATE TO (OR THROUGH) A MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREA, YOU SHOULD GET TESTED ON RETURN

It is best to get tested immediately after you return, e.g. after leaving the airport or upon arrival to your destination.

You should also continue to monitor for symptoms for 2 weeks after travel and get tested again if you experience any.

This is because the virus has an incubation period, meaning that the virus may not be detectable by a test until a period of time has passed since being infected. This time period differs for everyone but is generally thought to be between 2 to 14 days.

Testing at a public hospital	Testing via a clinic / private practice
> Find a hospital that is offering coronavirus testing (typically called a Fever Clinic).	> Phone your doctor or a local GP clinic that offers coronavirus testing and describe your symptoms or situation.
> You should not need a referral, but you will likely need to wait in a queue, especially if there has been an outbreak in the area.	> The doctor will provide you with a referral to a suitable respiratory clinic.
> You will be asked to provide your details as well as your symptoms / reason for getting tested (e.g. you travelled interstate, or you are showing symptoms).	> You should go to the nominated clinic as soon as possible. You may be required to line up in a queue or wait in your car until it is your turn to be tested.
> You will then be tested by an assigned medical professional which should take less than a minute.	> You will then be tested by an assigned medical professional which should take less than a minute.
> Once tested, you will be sent home to self-isolate until you receive your results (either by phone call or text). This means waiting for your result at home and not leaving your home for any reason except in the case of a medical emergency.	> Once tested, you will be sent home to self-isolate until you receive your results (either by phone call or text). This means waiting for your result at home and not leaving your home for any reason except in the case of a medical emergency.

Your Test Result

Please submit your test result to your Team Leader once it has been received.

You are permitted to return to work once your test result has been returned as negative.

If your test result is positive, ensure that your Team Leader is notified as soon as possible.

Symptoms To Watch For

Know the symptoms and be on alert. If you experience any of the following symptoms, don’t come to work. Notify your Team Leader and contact your nearest medical centre / hospital to get tested.

Fever
Cough
Shortness of Breath
Sore Throat

Other symptoms can include runny nose, headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell, altered sense of taste, loss of appetite and fatigue.

Other Considerations

Read before undertaking travel

>	Be ready to work from home. Make sure you have a suitable workstation set up before you travel as you will be required to self-isolate after getting tested.
>	If you are unable to work from home, but you must travel, ensure that you talk to your Team Leader about arrangements whilst you are away from work.
>	Depending on your location, and the current status of outbreaks, it may take 24-48 hours to receive your test result.
>	You must not come to work while experiencing symptoms or whilst awaiting your test result. If you take sick leave, you must also provide a medical certificate.

Contact

To discuss these guidelines or ask questions about specific travel arrangements, please contact Tabi Ward.

Phone 07 3335 5139 or 0400 046 090
Email tabi.ward@hutchies.com.au

Support

If you need help, reach out

Hutchies Help	COVID-19 Health Information	Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Reporting potential cases or general Hutchies advice. Hutchies' COVID-19 Hotline Phone 07 3335 5015 Email coronavirus@hutchies.com.au	This hotline can provide guidance if you have questions about COVID-19. Australian Government COVID-19 Hotline Phone 1800 020 080 (24x7)	This confidential service is open to Hutchies' people and immediate family members. Converge International Phone 1800 687 327

For general information on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), call the Australian Government's Coronavirus Health Info Line on 1800 020 080.

For the latest updates on COVID-19 in Australia, visit:

Australian Government	https://l.hutchi.es/AusHealth
Smart Traveller	https://l.hutchi.es/SmartTravel
New South Wales	https://l.hutchi.es/cvNSW
Northern Territory	https://l.hutchi.es/cvNT
Queensland	https://l.hutchi.es/cvQLD
South Australia	https://l.hutchi.es/cvSA
Tasmania	https://l.hutchi.es/cvTAS
Victoria	https://l.hutchi.es/cvVIC

Mental Health

Hutchies has also created a resource to help maintain positive mental health during what has been a tough year for everyone.

Coronavirus Information

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2024 COTY & Service Awards

Congratulations all of our Hutchies' veterans and to the winner of Constructor of the Year 2024.

30 October / Quality Alert

Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone

Engineered stone ban effective 1 July 2024

ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage will be banned

Alternative products must be considered and implemented on all projects.

The industry is shifting away from engineered stone due to the risks of respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and other silica-related diseases. Although the consultations are under way and there has been no official announcement by Federal or State Governments on the issue, the health and safety risks along with the uncertainty around this issue warrants a decision to ban all engineered products entering job sites nationally. The ban will take effect on 1July 2024 and will extend to ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage.

An update to this alert will be provided before the end of the year when the Federal and State Governments are expected to issue a formal decision on the ban. In the meantime, to mitigate the impact of potential delays and variations, the best approach is to inform the clients of the pending ban and to propose and seek approval for an alternative product. Similarly, ensure all future estimates have the stone specification qualified and priced accordingly.

Product alternatives going forward include:

Compact Laminates

Under 1% silica content
Extremely competitive pricing
Only comes in 12mm thickness
Heat resistance is an issue
Product not suitable for high end applications

Porcelain Surfaces

Under 10% silica content
Price dependant of product and supplier
Large variety of colours and thicknesses (4, 8, 12, 20 and 30mm)
Great resistance to staining, scratches, UV and heat
Good warranty terms

Acrylic Solid Surfaces

0% silica content
More expensive alternative
Limited thickness availability
UV stable and heat resistant but direct heat exposure not advised
Minimising wastage through flexibility in sheet sizing
Seamless joints

Natural Stone*

Various silica content percentages
Variety of products at different price points available
Ongoing maintenance may be an issue
Unlikely to satisfy specific warranty requirements

*Although this alert does not directly impact natural stone, some types have high silica content so risk of using these on projects should be considered carefully.

For an up-to-date list of available products and their usability, click here.

More information

If you need additional support, please contact the Quality Team:

Phone 1300 HUTCHIES
Email QualityTeam@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au