27 Sep 2020 | Barbara Cullen, Director Small Business Victoria The Victorian Government has released roadmaps for reopening for how we live and work in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, providing a long-term plan for our path out of restrictions and into COVID Normal. As part of our plans to support industry to safely reopen and get Victorians back to work, the Victorian Government has developed a COVIDSafe Plan (PDF file) to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the workplace. Every Victorian business that is open for on-site operations must have a COVIDSafe Plan. To ensure compliance, random spot checks are already underway in metropolitan Melbourne and will commence in regional Victoria from 29 September 2020. If you own a business in a high-risk industry, you must have a High Risk COVIDSafe Plan. High-risk industries include: construction, warehousing and distribution, supermarket and medical distribution centres, abattoirs and meat processing facilities. A COVIDSafe Plan is one of the ways you can help prevent and manage outbreaks of coronavirus (COVID-19) at your workplace and in your community. Business owners in Victoria are being asked to play their part in slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) by developing a COVIDSafe Plan and adhering to other workplace requirements. Please share this messaging with your stakeholders and encourage them to communicate the important need for businesses to have a COVIDSafe Plan in place. The Victorian Government is providing a range of resources and guidelines to support businesses to reopen safely. Please stay up-to-date on the latest advice for creating a COVIDSafe workplace at Business Victoria. The Victorian Government has also announced a new $3 billion support package to help businesses survive and keep Victorians in jobs as we progress along the roadmap to COVID Normal. This includes cash grants, tax relief and cashflow support that will be delivered to Victorian businesses that have been most affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. For more information on the support available to Victorian businesses and how to apply, please visit Business Victoria. Barbara Cullen Director | Small Business Victoria | Jobs, Innovation and Business Engagement Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions