COVID-19: Read how Council is responding to COVID-19. For relief and assistance call 1800 MSC AID (1800 672 243).

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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a current health issue.

If you suspect you may have contracted COVID-19, please call the dedicated hotline on 1800 675 398.

For local relief and assistance call 1800 MSC AID (1800 672 243).

GENERAL INFORMATION

BUSINESS SUPPORT

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

 

 

  • BUSINESS SUPPORT

  • Financial Support

    The Australian Government is supporting Australian businesses to manage cash flow challenges and retain employees. Assistance includes cash flow support to businesses and temporary measures to provide relief for financially distressed businesses.

    Available support includes:

    • JobKeeper payment - click here to download the JobKeeper Payment Employer Guide
    • Boosting cash flow for employers
    • Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses
    • Increasing the instant asset write-off
    • Backing business investment
    • Supporting apprentices and trainees

    To find out more go to https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

    The Victorian Government has introduced a number of measures to support business to plan and respond to coronavirus COVID-19. 

    For advice, updates and support to help your workplace plan and respond to coronavirus visit the Business Victoria Coronavirus Support website.

    The Australian Tax Office is providing several financial relief options for businesses including tax relief and payment deferrals.

    The Australian Banking Association is urging small businesses financially impacted to contact their bank to access assistance on offer which can include deferred loan payments, waiving of fees and restricting loans.

  • Workplace Impacts

    We encourage employees and employers to work together to find appropriate solutions that suit the needs of individual workplaces and staff.  
    The Australian and Victorian Chambers have produced an Employer Guide(link is external) for managing the workplace in the face of the outbreak which includes:

    • Understanding your risks.
    • Employer obligation.
    • Working from home.
    • Changing or scaling down operations, and
    • Business shut down.

    For information and assistance on any aspect of your employment obligations, the Victorian Chamber Workplace Relations Advice Line (03) 8662 5222 can help.

  • Business Resources

    Business Victoria is a great resource for up-to-date information and updates on the current restrictions. It is also providing a range of advice and information for business owners on things like economic stimulus, business continuity, and recovery. Business Victoria also has a hotline to help businesses with COVID-19 questions. You can call them on 13 22 15.

    The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides a comprehensive list of resources and advice. They are also offering free 12 month membership. Join Now

    Business Gov is the Federal Government information hub for business support. It contains information on government support including financial assistance, eligibility and timing for government support.

  • Tourism Support

    The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak industry body for the tourism and events sector. They are waiving membership fees for 'In the Loop' and' Essentials' membership packages. They will also be providing additional services including training credit to courses provided by the Victorian Chamber.

  • Environmental Health

    Cleaning and disinfecting tips for non-healthcare settings

    Cleaning and disinfecting to reduce COVID-19 transmission - tips for non-healthcare settings guide – advice on cleaning and disinfecting to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in all non-healthcare settings in Victoria. The principles in the guide apply equally to domestic settings, office buildings, small retail businesses, social venues and all other non-healthcare settings.

  • Supporting Your Mental Health & Wellbeing

    If you are experiencing increased worry and stress during this time, there are a number of support services available

    Stress savvy in business

    Lifeline can be called on 13 11 14

    Beyond Blue can be called via 1300 224 636

    The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has a My Business Help web portal. This portal now has an additional section for businesses struggling with COVID-19. Check out their finance and mental health information for business.

  • Further Information

    If you have any queries, please contact the Economic Development Team on 03 5775 8520 or email nicole.nye@mansfield.vic.gov.au

 

  • COMMUNITY SUPPORT

  • Health Information

    Information for Parents

    We understand that many parents are likely to be feeling anxious or concerned about their children’s health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents should be reassured that the evidence so far is babies and children under five almost never get seriously ill from COVID-19. To keep up to date with the latest information and advice about COVID-19 visit: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

    Factsheet on COVID-19 for Parents with infants and small children

  • Financial Support

    Income support for individuals

    People who receive a range of Commonwealth payments are now eligible to receive a new, time-limited Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight. This will be paid to both existing and new recipients of JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance Jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit.

    If you already receive one of the eligible payments, you will automatically be paid the Coronavirus Supplement. You do not need to contact Centrelink.

    If you don’t currently receive an income support payment and you need help because you have lost your job or had your income reduced, you will need to apply through Centrelink. Start your claim online through myGov before visiting Centrelink. If you need to provide proof of identity and you’re in self-isolation or feeling unwell, you can do this over the phone.

    Please visit the Treasury website for more information:
    https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/households

    Payments to support households

    The Government is providing two separate $750 payments to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. The first payment will be made from 31 March 2020 and the second payment will be made from 13 July 2020. 

    If you already receive one of the eligible payments, you will automatically be paid the $750 economic support payment. You do not need to contact Centrelink.

    If you don’t currently receive an income support payment and you need help because you have lost your job or had your income reduced, you will need to apply through Centrelink. Start your claim online through myGov before visiting Centrelink. If you need to provide proof of identity and you’re in self-isolation or feeling unwell, you can do this over the phone.

    Please visit the Treasury website for more information:
    https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/households

    Temporary early release of superannuation

    Individuals affected by the Coronavirus can now access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in 2019-20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21. These withdrawals will be tax-free and will not affect Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs payments.

    Eligible individuals can apply online to the ATO through myGov before 1 July 2020 to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation.

    Temporarily reducing superannuation minimum drawdown rates

    The Government is temporarily reducing superannuation minimum drawdown requirements for account-based pensions and similar products by 50 per cent for 2019-20 and 2020-21. 

    Reducing social security deeming rates

    On 12 March, the Government announced a 0.5 percentage point reduction in both the upper and lower social security deeming rates. The Government will now reduce these rates by another 0.25 percentage points. The changes will be effective from 1 May 2020.

    Support for small business

    Boosting cash flow for employers

    The Government is providing up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium-sized businesses, and not for-profits that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000.

    The payment will be delivered by the ATO as an automatic credit in the activity statement system from 28 April 2020 upon employers lodging eligible upcoming activity statements. A further payment will be available for the June-October 2020 period.

    Increasing the instant asset write-off

    The Government is increasing the instant asset write-off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 and expanding access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million).

    This proposal applies from 12 March 2020 until 30 June 2020, for new or second-hand assets first used or installed ready for use in this timeframe.

    Supporting apprentices and trainees

    Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage for 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer that employs that apprentice. Employers will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $21,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee ($7,000 per quarter).

    Employers can register for the subsidy from early April 2020. Final claims for payment must be lodged by 31 December 2020. For further information on how to apply for the subsidy, including information on eligibility, contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.

    Supporting the flow of credit 

    Support for immediate cash flow needs for SMEs

    Under the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme, the Government will provide a guarantee of 50 per cent to SME lenders to support new short-term unsecured loans to SMEs. The Scheme will guarantee up to $40 billion of new lending. 

    The Scheme will commence by early April 2020 and be available for new loans made by participating lenders until 30 September 2020.

    For more information on the Australian Government’s Economic Response to Coronavirus visit treasury.gov.au/coronavirus.
     

  • Supporting Your Mental Health & Wellbeing

    Being aware of how you’re feeling and knowing what you can do to look after your mental well being is an important part of staying healthy during this challenging time. You may find the following resources helpful:

  • Local Business & Service Delivery

    Local Trade and Services Delivering to Homes

    Groceries 

    Marks IGA - 5775 2014 www.mansfieldiga.com.au

    Foodworks - 5775 2255 www.mansfield.myfoodworks.com.au

    Delatite Poultry – 5775 1388 or Facebook

    High Country Fresh - 0419 375 656 (Deliver Mansfield township only)

    Meals

    Mansfield Coffee Merchant – 5779 1703 www.mansfieldcoffeemerchant.com.au

    George & Al Roy’s - 03 5775 1073 or Skip or Facebook

    Delatite Hotel - 5775 2004 www.thedelatitehotel.com.au/food

    High Country Food Co - 0448 123 098 www.highcountryfoodco.com.au/menus

    Amongst The Sticks Catering – 5775 3030 www.thesticks.com.au

    Social Bandit – 5775 3281 www.socialbandit.com.au

    Goods & Trade

    Yenckens Hardware – 5775 2511       www.yenckens.com.au

    Bi-Rite Home Appliances – 5775 2099    www.birite.com.au/stores/bi-rite-mansfield

    Target Mansfield – 5733 1300      www.target.com.au/help/payment-delivery

    Betta Home Living – 5775 1992  www.betta.com.au/stores/mansfield-betta-home-living

    Mansfield Hospitality Supplies – 5779 1660   www.mansfieldhospitalitysupplies.com.au

    Stolz Mansfield – 5775 2688    www.stolz.com.au

    Edith & May – 5779 1355         www.highcountryflowers.com.au

    Information Services and Closures 

    Central Hume Primary Care Partnership

    For information on health and wellbeing services in the Hume region www.centralhumepcp.org/covid-19/

    MACE - Mansfield Adult Continuing Education

    On the direction from the Government, MACE is now temporarily closed until further notice.

    For all Services Australia enquiries go to www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/

    For all Department of Human Services enquiries go to www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/

    For all Centrelink enquiries - 132 850

    Parks Victoria

    As directed by the Chief Health Officer all campsites, camping grounds and caravan parks are closed until further notice. People can continue to live on a closed caravan park or camping ground if it is registered as their primary place of residence or if they are staying in caravan parks as interim accommodation where their primary residence is not available.

    For more information go to  www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/safety-in-nature/covid-19-update

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Last Updated: Tuesday, 22 December, 2020 - 13:14