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TOURISM TO BENEFIT FROM NEW
FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE
There have been numerous important announcements from the Australian and NSW Governments in recent days about new measures to control the spread of COVID-19 and support for individuals and businesses affected by the crisis.
Today, for example, the Australian Government has sent a text message to every Australian mobile phone with important information about steps we can all take to protect our health, the health of our families and the health of the community. This message has been endorsed by Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy.
To help our readers keep abreast of these developments, Destination NSW will move to two editions of Insights weekly – typically on Wednesday and Friday – offering the latest advice and links to information on its own website as well as relevant third party sources.
We would welcome your help in disseminating this information and invite you to share this subscribe link with industry friends and work colleagues.
ECONOMIC SUPPORT
On 22 March, the Australian Government announced a second set of economic responses that, combined with previous support, totals $189 billion in stimulus for the economy.
These actions provide timely support to affected workers, businesses and the broader community and targets three key areas:
- Supporting individuals and households
- Support for business
- Supporting the flow of credit
The full stimulus package now includes income support for individuals, payments to support households, temporary early release of superannuation, boosting cash flow for employers, temporary relief for financially distressed businesses, backing business investment and more.
For full details: Economic Response to the Coronavirus
SLOW THE SPREAD - SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES
This week, the Australian Government also announced further measures to slow the spread of the virus, focused especially on increased social distancing practices.
This included a requirement on the following facilities to close from midday 23 March:
- Pubs, registered and licenced clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation)
- Gyms and indoor sporting venues
- Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos and night clubs
- Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
- Religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups where space allows for one person per 4sqm)
Further businesses and gatherings will be restricted or closed from midnight tonight (Wednesday 25 March):
- Food courts within shopping centres (delivery and takeaway can remain operational)
- Auction houses
- Real estate auctions and open house inspections (private appointments only)
- Outdoor and indoor markets as determined by States and Territories (excluding food markets)
- Hairdressers and barbershops must only offer 30 minute appointments and social distancing rules apply
- Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo parlours
- Spas and massage parlours
- Amusement parks and arcades
- Play centres (indoor and outdoor)
- Community and recreation centres (excluding for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary or public services ie. Food banks or homeless services)
- Health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and spin classes, saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres
- Boot camps, personal training operating outside and inside (outside events can proceed but are limited to no more than 10 people and must observe social distancing)
- Social sporting-based activities
- Swimming pools
- Galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites
- Libraries, community centres and youth centres
- Local government non-essential facilities and services (ie. Libraries and pools)
- Community facilities (community halls, clubs, RSLs, PCYCs)
- Weddings (limited to a maximum attendance of 5 people and social distancing rules apply)
- Funerals (limited to a maximum of 10 people and social distancing rules apply)
These measures build on existing recommendations regarding the suspension of non-essential gatherings, maintaining social distancing of 1.5 meters, limiting indoor gatherings of less than 100 people to one person per 4sqm, and avoiding all non-essential travel (including interstate and intrastate).
For full advice: Australian Health guidance for public gatherings
International travel by Australian residents has also been banned under Biosecurity Act 2015. Exemptions will be managed by the Australian Border Force and include citizens ordinarily resident overseas, where travel is essential or necessary, where travel is in our national interest or on compassionate or humanitarian grounds.
For the latest information from Government and Health authorities:
And don't forget to visit Destination NSW's COVID-19 page for a summary of resources and industry specific information.
NSW ON SHOW ONLINE
Several of the State’s cultural institutions and tourism operators are responding to the new COVID-19 imposed restrictions by sharing their unique offerings with visitors worldwide via virtual means.
In a show of ingenuity, while closed to the public, they have opened virtual doors to a vast world of diverse and amazing experiences without having to leave home.
Here are just a few of the great initiatives across the state. If you know of more, please join the movement and share them on social media using the hashtag #LoveNSW. Follow VisitNSW (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and Sydney (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) for further inspiration and a welcome distraction.
- Biennale of Sydney: This year’s exhibition, titled NIRIN and meaning ‘edge’ in Wiradjuri, is an artist- and First Nations-led biennale showcasing more than 700 works by 101 artist and collectives. Working with long-time Biennale partner Google, and in a first for the Biennale of Sydney – audiences will be able to engage with NIRIN through live content, virtual walk-throughs, podcasts, interactive Q&As, curated tours and artist takeovers.
- Tractorless Vineyard: Southern Highlands winery and cellar door Tractorless Vineyards has introduced virtual guided wine tastings. Tractorless Vineyards has put together tasting packages of 50ml tasters that customers can order to be sent to their homes. When people receive the package they can watch the tasting guide on YouTube, or be part of the Facebook live virtual tastings hosted by winemaker Jeff Aston and ask questions along the way.
- Art Gallery of NSW: The Art Gallery of NSW will be sharing art stories of optimism and energy across their website and social media channels.
- Brokenwood Wines: Senior winemaker Stuart Hordern is hosting virtual tastings via social media. The Hunter Valley winery is also offering #BrokenwoodBunker packs to ensure cellars are well stocked for people who are staying at home.
- State Library of NSW: The State Library, and public libraries across the state, will be keeping the community stimulated and connected at this time. Online there is access to thousands of free ebooks, newspapers, journals and other resources including podcasts.
- Mother’s Day Classic: This popular charity event has launched the Mother’s Day Classic Virtual 2020 – an interactive event experience for all Australians that challenges participants to walk or run 4km or 8km anytime, anywhere on or before Mother’s Day 2020.
