NEW: The Queensland Government has updated its Roadmap to Easing Restrictions here.

NEW: To meet an increased demand, Emerald Hospital is operating a dedicated COVID-19 testing clinic from 8am to 12 noon each day. Appointments essential, phone (07) 4920 5800. Find other testing clinics here.

Restrictions and Guidance

Paper registration of customers is no longer sufficient for contact tracing - businesses in Queensland must record details electronically. Click here to read the full guidelines. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry QLD recommends Safe Visit.
The COVID-19 Restriction Checker provides advice on social distancing measures and travel arrangements in each state and territory.
Download the COVIDSafe app to help to speed up contacting people exposed to coronavirus.
Find the latest changes to restrictions in Queensland here.
Directions from QLD's Chief Health Officer:

Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings

Hospital Visitors Direction

Protecting Public Officials and Workers

Aged Care

Queensland Border Restrictions

Local Testing Clinics

Blackwater Fever Clinic - Blackwater Hospital Grounds: Fever Clinic is open 2:00pm - 4:00pm 7 days a week; otherwise testing is available at the hospital Emergency Department. Appointments essential, phone (07) 4920 5800.
Emerald Medical Clinic. Call (07) 4986 7400 to make an appointment.
To meet an increased demand, Emerald Hospital will be operating a dedicated COVID-19 testing clinic from Tuesday 5 January 2021. Operating hours - 8am to 12 noon each day. Appointments essential, phone (07) 4920 5800.
Find other testing clinics here.

Support

Refer to our Webinars and Workshops page to find online training and support and our Grant Opportunities page to find funding options.

All information on Federal Government support for businesses can be found here. It includes information on JobKeeper and JobTrainer.
JobKeeper 2.1 came into effect on January 4 2021, and businesses will need to reapply and show that your GST declined in the December 2020 quarter. Check out this guide from Business Australia.

The national Business Hotline - 13 28 46 - is open seven days a week from 7:00am to 11:00pm. Specialist advisers will take calls to support small and medium businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Queensland Government's Economic Recovery Strategy: Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs is designed to help the State recover from COVID-19 with a focus on backing Queensland jobs. The Central Queensland Economic Recovery Plan, which will support recovery and growth in existing industries including agriculture, primary production and mining, and harness opportunities in renewable energy, manufacturing, tourism and technology. Find out more.

The QLD Government has a range of COVID-related tax relief measures for SMEs. They include a two-month waiver for of payroll tax for July and August 2020 for businesses with annual Australian taxable wages up to $6.5 million. Find out more.

Applications are open for travel agents and tour arrangement service providers impacted by COVID-19 to apply for a one-off payment, under the Federal Government's $128 million COVID-19 Consumer Travel Program. Find out more.

Rural Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland (FRCSSQ) provides free, impartial, confidential and responsive rural financial counselling services across Southern Queensland. RFCSSQ has been granted extra funding by the Queensland Government to provide financial counselling services to small and medium businesses (SMEs) impacted by Coronavirus in Southern Queensland. Call 1300 732 777 or email smallbusiness@rfcssq.org.au to arrange a telephone or online video consultation.

Resources for Business and Industry

Stay informed with the official government Coronavirus Australia app. Download on the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join the WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.

Business.gov.au has compiled a guide here to help workers and businesses understand the COVID-related changes for tax time. Bentleys has more information here on how to claim a deduction for your home office expenses.

The Australian Government has a large range of resources here - including fact sheets and display posters - to assist tourism operators, event organisers, workplaces and the general public to prepare and respond.

The Queensland Government has a variety of resources and fact sheets for business and industry here.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (QLD) has created a COVID-19 Employer Guide here

Austrade has launched a new COVID-19 update site that highlights the latest investment-related news - including stimulus packages - and explains regulatory changes.

Australian Disaster Resilience Knowledge Hub

Employer and Employee Rights and Responsibilities during COVID-19

Video Conferencing Code of Conduct
Research has found business revenue falls in the Central Highlands were significantly lower than average for Queensland in the wake of the global pandemic. However, the early months of the COVID-19 crisis still led to a considerable reduction in jobs in the region and its economy is not expected to completely recover for at least 12 months. Find out more.

Employment

Jobs Hub is a Federal Government initiative to support businesses and Australians looking for work during COVID-19.
Jobs Finder is a State Government initiative to match Queenslanders to available jobs and free online training courses during COVID-19.
CQ Job Link has the latest local jobs in mining, agriculture, resources, trades and more from across the entire Central Highlands and Isaac regions.
Leave entitlement changes: The Fair Work Commission has inserted a temporary schedule into 99 Modern Awards to allow employees to take unpaid pandemic leave and, if their employer agrees, twice as much annual leave at half pay.

Support for Vulnerable People

Queenslanders with disability, who don't have carers, family or friends to assist them, are encouraged to phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 to request essential food, household items and medicines.
The Queensland Disability Network has created easy-to-read resources to provide accurate and up-to-date information about COVID-19 for people with disability.
Queensland Health has current, culturally appropriate and translated COVID-19 information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

CHDC

The CHDC office in Emerald is open. CHDC continues to maintain vigilant hygiene and social distancing protocols. Contact our team on (07) 4982 4386 or enquiries@chdc.com.au.

Central Highlands Regional Council

Information on CHRC's response to COVID-19 is here.

PLEASE NOTE: CHDC has made every effort to ensure that the details on this page are correct and cannot be held liable for any inaccuracy or misrepresentation, whether by inclusion, omission, change or withdrawal of services without notice. Read our full Disclaimer.