JULY 22, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Mask up for community
(Damjan Janevski) 211319_03
Emma Slattery and her dog Lexi look marvellous in their face masks. They’re heeding the advice of Premier Daniel Andrews who on Sunday said it was compulsory for those (humans) living in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire to wear face masks outside of the home. Mr Andrews made the recommendation on advice from the state’s chief health oficer, following new evidence that wearing masks can help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by about 60 per cent. “Staying at home if you feel unwell is still the best way to slow the spread of coronavirus but wearing a cloth mask provides an additional physical barrier, adding one more layer of protection for you and those around you,” Mr Andrews said. Star Weekly last week asked residents in lockdown to send in photos of themselves and their families wearing face masks, or engaging in lockdown activities. More pictures: Page 10-11 Alesha Capone
JobKeeper extended By Alesha Capone Wyndham’s business leaders have welcomed the federal government’s decision to extend JobKeeper payments beyond September. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg yesterday announced that the JobKeeper program would be extended for six months until March 28, 2021 with renewed eligibility criteria. Committee for Wyndham chief executive Barbara McClure said the move would “give businesses some breathing space”. Ms McClure said that without JobKeeper “many businesses would really be in trouble”.
Earlier this year, Star Weekly reported that businesses in the 3030 and 3029 postcodes had lodged the highest number of JobKeeper applications in the state, outside of the Melbourne CBD. his included 3681 businesses in the 3029 postcode (Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and Truganina) and 3277 businesses from the 3030 postcode (Werribee, Werribee South, Point Cook and Derrimut). Mr Morrison yesterday said the JobKeeper program had been efective in stemming the loss of jobs and businesses as Australia battled the COVID-19 pandemic on a health and economic front. He said JobKeeper 2.0
was “designed to relect where businesses are hurting the most”. From September 28, the fortnightly JobKeeper payment would be reduced to $1200 for full-time workers and $750 for people working less than 20 hours per week. From January, the payments will come down to $1000 per fortnight for full-time workers and $650 for those working less than 20 hours per week. Businesses will have to prove they remain in inancial distress each quarter, with a reduction of least 30 per cent in earnings compared to pre-pandemic levels. Committee for Wyndham chairman Peter Mayall said the federal government seemed
to be taking a “targeted approach” to helping businesses. “here is no doubt, in my opinion and the Committee for Wyndham’s collectively, that there are businesses that are going to need assistance post-28 September,” he said. “he announcement by the Prime Minister and Josh Frydenberg is whole-heartedly welcomed.” A Werribee Business & Tourism Association spokesperson said: “It’s good to hear that JobKeeper has been extended, especially with the challenges local businesses have been facing.” Lalor MP Joanne Ryan said the Opposition would “carefully assess” the new rates.
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