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Projects and initiatives that help support mental health recovery in the workplace could be eligible for a NSW Government grant worth up to $50,000.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the Recovery Boost program, administered by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), would fund projects that promote seeking assistance early, supporting an individual’s recovery and reducing stigma around mental health.
“Almost half of Australians will experience some form of mental health issue over their lifetime and workplaces can and should provide help and support,” Mr Dominello said.
“These grants will give us a greater understanding of what works and how we can better empower workplaces to address mental health issues.”
Projects must demonstrate that they meet at least one or more of Recovery Boost’s funding principles of being sustainable, innovative and adoptable in the workplace.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor urged more businesses to take up the annual program to support the mental health and wellbeing of staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Challenges associated with working from home, reduced hours, or even teleconferencing can place added stress on staff,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This fantastic initiative will allow businesses to support staff to stay mentally well as they adapt to a working environment they may not be used to.”
Australian based organisations, including not- for-profit organisations, social enterprises, government agencies and individuals are eligible to apply.
Expressions of interest for the Recovery Boost Grant program are open until 6 August.
More information can be found at: https://www.mentalhealthatwork.nsw.gov.au/mentally-healthy-workplaces/recover-at-work/recovery-boost-$50,000-funding-program

Inspector numbers have been boosted and their powers increased under the NSW Public Health Act 2010 in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Venues found to be flouting the NSW Government’s new COVID safety measures face fines, and could even be shut down, as part of a joint operation between Liquor & Gaming NSW, SafeWork and Fair Trading.
New measures were imposed on pubs last Friday and are being extended to casinos, clubs, and bars, as well as all cafes and restaurants from Friday 25 July.
In addition to Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors, SafeWork and Fair Trading staff will also be conducting inspections from this weekend, bringing the total number of inspectors to more than 250.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said stricter conditions and increased supervision are crucial to keep the economy in business.
“Businesses must be part of the solution if they want to stay open and look after their communities,” Mr Dominello said.
“Right now if they haven’t downloaded a COVID-19 Safety plan and registered as a COVID Safe Business they are contravening the Public Health Orders and could face a $5000 fine and then closure.”
Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said premises where food and drink is consumed pose a higher risk for several key reasons.
“Being indoors for longer periods while eating and drinking, and the potential for mingling are all factors that make COVID more communicable. Add alcohol, later trading hours and venue capacity, and the potential for transmission escalates,” Mr Anderson said.
“Having the right measures in place will make sure employees and customers are protected. I urge all workplaces to download a COVID-19 Safety Plan, detail how you will action the measures, and register as COVID safe.”
Liquor & Gaming, SafeWork and Fair Trading inspectors are working in coordination with local council environmental inspectors, Food Authority inspectors, NSW Health and NSW Police. This includes:

• 40 NSW Food Authority inspectors;
• 45 Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors;
• 50 Public Health Officers;
• 68 NSW Fair Trading inspectors;
• 143 SafeWork NSW inspectors;
• 483 Local Government Environmental Health Officers; and
• NSW Police Officers.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services said the NSW Police would work in lock-step with other agencies to prevent further outbreaks of COVID-19 in NSW.
“NSW is at a tipping point – businesses and individuals alike need to step up to ensure we don’t face a second wave that could put countless lives in jeopardy,” Mr Elliott said.
“Police have been on the frontline since day one, enforcing ministerial directions to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone in NSW, but they need the cooperation and support of the community.
“If you deliberately flout a ministerial direction or go about your day in a way that is not COVID-safe, you are putting the entire community at risk and be assured the authorities will be there to hold you accountable.”
COVID safety breaches can be reported to NSW Police or complaints made online at nsw.gov.au.
Inspectors enforcing Public Health Orders can conduct uniformed and undercover inspections and can issue the following penalties:

• First offence: $5,000 fine or relevant penalty for breach of the Public Health Order
• Second offence: business will be closed for one week
• Third offence (repeated and wilful non-compliance): shutdown for up to one month.

NSW businesses are on notice to comply with the State’s public health orders, or risk a fine or closure, with restrictions around “higher risk” activities coming into effect.
From today the following rules are in force:

• Compliance measures introduced to pubs will be extended to restaurants, bars cafés and clubs. This includes:
  • Limiting group bookings to a maximum of 10 people;
  • Mandatory COVID-Safe plans and registration as a COVID-Safe business;
  • A digital record must be created within 24 hours.

 

• Weddings and corporate events are limited to 150 people subject to the four square metre rule and registration of the venue as a COVID-Safe business. Strict COVID-Safe plans must be in place and high-risk activities including choirs and dancing must not occur; and

 

• Funerals and places of worship are limited to 100 people, subject to the four square metre rule and a COVID-Safe business registration for the venue.

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said inspectors will be regularly on the beat to enforce compliance.
“Any business found blatantly breaking the rules will have the book thrown at them. We won’t be listening to any excuses,” Mr Dominello said.
“Businesses that aren’t serious about safety should not be in business. Those who disregard the restrictions should expect a visit from an inspector.
“We also encourage customers to report wrongdoing. We have a shared responsibility to ensure NSW remains safe.”
The NSW Government has made it easy for business by providing industry relevant COVID-Safe plans online.
“Registering your business is simple and can be done online at www.nsw.gov.au,” Mr Dominello said.
The rules on gatherings remain the same: 20 guests inside the home and 20 for gatherings in a public place. However, as the home is a high transmission area, the NSW Chief Health Officer strongly recommends a COVID-Safe precautionary approach of limiting visitors to the home to 10 people as a general principle.
The Public Health Order can be found here: https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2020_2020-160.pdf

Ambulatory care space has doubled, dialysis capacity more than tripled and, in a first for the region, the new $70.7 million Mudgee Hospital also has a CT scanner.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard, joined by the Member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders, officially opened the new Mudgee Hospital today – well ahead of its scheduled completion in late 2020, ensuring it is prepared for any potential COVID-19 surge.
“This is an incredible transformation for the Mudgee community, which now has a world-class health facility with multiple services under the one roof,” Mr Hazzard said.
“For the first time, Mudgee Hospital also has a brand new CT scanner, already saving more than 200 locals a trip to Dubbo or Orange just in the past two months.”
Mr Saunders said since the new Mudgee Hospital became operational on 27 May, there have been about 1,500 emergency department presentations, more than 370 patients admitted, 111 surgical and scope procedures performed and 36 babies born.
“It’s great to see the local community already benefiting from a bigger and better hospital that will deliver first-class care to the community well into the future.”
The new Mudgee Hospital features:

• A new, larger emergency department with five treatment bays, a purpose-built resucitation space, a safe assessment room and an isolation room
• 28 acute general medical and surgical beds
• New CT scanner and eight dialysis chairs (increased from two)
• Four ambulatory care spaces (increased from two), including a treatment room
• Peri-operative service with operating rooms, day surgery area and recovery area
• Outpatient services and community health
• A four-chair Oncology service and a Maternity unit
• Oral health (with an additional chair, taking the capacity to five chairs).

The demolition of the old building will enable a new car park, due in late 2020.
The NSW Government is investing more than 30 per cent of the almost $2.7 billion allocated for health capital works in 2019-2020 in regional and rural areas

Three people have been issued Penalty Infringement Notices after failing to self-isolate on return from Victoria.
Details of these alleged breaches are further outlined below:
– About 12pm on Saturday (25 July 2020), officers attached to Murray River Police District attended a home on Decimus Street, Deniliquin, following reports two people who had returned from Victoria on Tuesday 21 July 2020, had been seen entering a store on Cressy Street. A 33-year-old woman and 31-year-old man allegedly told police “it’s a free country”. They were both subsequently issued $1000 PINs.
– About 12pm yesterday (Sunday 26 July 2020), officers from South Coast Police District attended a home at Surf Beach, after reports a 63-year-old woman had visited a supermarket in Batemans Bay despite being directed to self-isolate after returning from Victoria. She was issued a $1000 PIN.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages
 

The NSW Supreme Court has prohibited a public assembly planned for Sydney on Tuesday (28 July 2020) due to health and safety concerns associated with COVID-19.

The protest is now unauthorised.

Those thinking of attending – despite the Supreme Court decision and health advice – are strongly urged to reconsider their plans.

While the NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals to exercise their right to free speech, large-scale events, such as these, are currently subject to restrictions under the Public Health Act.

As such, police will not hesitate to take the appropriate action, if required.