Construction sites for large buildings in Melbourne must reduce their workforce to the practical minimum and can have no more than 25 per cent of their workers on site at any time following new COVID-19 restrictions.
Small scale construction works will be restricted to five people per site and large-scale government projects have been reduced by half, with plans to reduce the workforce further.
The restrictions will come into effect from 11:59 PM on Wednesday, and are part of a broader move to reduce community transmission in the Melbourne Metropolitan area.
On 2 August, Victoria entered a State of Disaster, the same provision used over summer to help fight the bushfires. At the same time, Melbourne began Stage 4 restrictions with stronger rules to limit the movement of people and the spread of this virus across the city.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the construction sector would move to “pilot light levels”.
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“This will allow the industry to keep ticking – while also making sure we limit the number of people onsite,” he said.
“To date, we’ve halved the number of people onsite on some of our biggest Government projects. Now we’re going through project by project, line by line to make sure they are reduced to the practical minimum number of workers.
“These workplaces that are continuing to operate will have additional requirements including extra PPE, staggering shifts, staggering breaks, health declarations and more support for sick workers to ensure they sat home.”
Businesses in regional Victoria can apply for a $5000 grant while those in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire can apply for up to $10,000 as longer restrictions kick in.
CICA CEO Brandon Hitch said the association in available to provide additional assistance through up to date information, CICA Assist, and health and other resources.
“Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if we can help you in any way,” he said.
“Together we will get through this, stay safe.”
More information is expected to be released later in the week.