Coronavirus (COVID-19) update – Friday 10 July 2020
Community transmission of COVID-19 continues to grow in Metropolitan Melbourne. It became closer to home this week for all of us in the Market Community, with a confirmed infected individual attending the Market.The MMA has implemented a range of procedures to reduce the risk of an infected individual transmitting the virus within the Market, from temperature screening upon entry to increased cleaning schedules. Still, these measures are not fool-proof, particularly where an infected individual does not show any symptoms of COVID-19.The most effective way to stop transmission of COVID-19 is by practising good hygiene and adhering to strict social distancing rules. We are fortunate to operate in an environment where we have ample space, and this works to our advantage as we have the room to ensure social distancing rules can be followed.While a great number of Market users are doing the right thing, some people are deliberately ignoring social distancing rules, and these people are putting the Market community at risk.
To help ensure the safety and business continuity of the Melbourne Market, the MMA will now be imposing penalties for those deliberately not following social distancing rules.
Under Operating Rule 12(b), A Person on Market Land must comply with the OH&S Plan and all relevant OH&S Requirements at all times; therefore any person found deliberately breaking social distancing rules will be subject the following penalties:
1st offence – Warning that is recorded in a Market user’s file
2nd offence – 24-hour suspension from the Market*
3rd offence – 48-hour suspension from the Market*
4th offence – 72-hour suspension from the Market*
*Any suspension is effective from the next business day
Market Relations Officers will also issue penalties ‘after the fact’ for non-compliance with social distancing rules as part of their current review of CCTV footage.
To be clear, the MMA is not out to penalise people who indecently walk past each other within 1.5 metres, or penalise a person passing an object, like an invoice, to someone else.
The aim of introducing these penalties is to stop the deliberate behaviours that are putting everyone at risk. Some examples that are regularly seen include:
- Two or more people mingling around point of sale desks
- Handshaking
- Hugging or placing arms around someone’s shoulders
- Interacting with others within the 1.5m distance rule
The MMA does not make these decisions lightly, but we are committed to doing what we can to ensure the Melbourne Market remains operational during this pandemic.
Questions
A summary of previous COVID-19 updates and operational changes are kept on our website, click here to access.
If you have any further questions, you can call the 24-hour security number, 0408 334 555. |