Anger and confusion over social distancing rules in offices

Businesses stalled bringing workers back to the office amid fears of breaching rules, but now the state government denies the 1.5m rule was mandatory.

Confusion reigns over whether businesses must keep staff 1.5m apart, with the state government contradicting its own website’s advice on Thursday.

Businesses which have stalled on bringing employees back to the office amid fears of breaching distancing requirements are furious they have unnecessarily compromised their potential productivity.

The state government clarified to the Herald Sun on Thursday that there had never been a mandated requirement for office workers to be kept 1.5m apart.

But its coronavirus website lists the 1.5m gap as one of a raft of measures that “need to be used to promote physical distancing”.

WorkSafe’s website also advises businesses should “plan ways to ensure physical distancing, such as allowing at least 1.5m distance ­between people for all tasks”.

Victoria Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said businesses had refused to let workers back in the office ­because they believed there was still a requirement for workers to be kept 1.5m apart, despite density limits being dropped on April 9.

The state government said there had never been a mandated requirement for office workers to be kept 1.5m apart. Picture: David Caird

Mr Guerra said the chamber has been telling businesses they did not have to keep workers apart, but added: “Pretty much every business that we talked to, before we advised them, were still operating at 1.5m.”

“Every conversation started by them saying we’d love to get to 100 per cent, and we can meet the density limits, except for the 1.5m requirement,” he said. “It’s a big issue. We’re highly concerned that WorkSafe have a different interpretation of what the government’s ­directions are.”

A government spokesman said on Thursday: “Public health advice such as hand ­sanitising, coughing into your elbow and keeping 1.5m apart has always gone hand-in-hand with COVID-safe plan requirements but have never been mandated.

“With the return to 100 per cent capacity and the lifting of density limits in office-based workplaces, physical distancing of 1.5m remains a protective barrier that we encourage where possible but it’s not mandatory.

“There has been workplace engagement to ensure these measures can be safely implemented, through sector roundtables with industry organisations, major companies, regional reps and unions.

“Many businesses have also been engaged with through Business Victoria hotline and emails have been sent out to all industry organisations.”

Mr Guerra said he had been confused about the 1.5m requirement until seeking clarification from the Department of Health.

A sign on the floor of a shop, advising customers regarding social distancing guidelines.

Victoria’s courts had also refused to reopen at full capacity despite the density limit being removed because of ongoing confusion over the rules.

Chief Justice Anne Ferguson issued a statement on Thursday saying public health officials had clarified “courts and tribunals can operate with no physical distancing, including jury trials.”

Opposition leader Michael O’Brien slammed the confusion around the directives.

“The Labor Government needs to get it right and make clear what COVID rules apply in the workplace,” he said.

“While Labor Ministers didn’t miss a pay cheque all year, small business has done it tough.

“Business can’t afford more confusion, chaos and the threat of fines while Labor stuffs around with workplace rules.

“We’ve seen confusion at the airport, in hotel quarantine and now in the office. It’s time for the Andrews Labor Government to just do its job”.

Small Business Australia Executive Director Bill Lang said more needed to be done to get workers back into offices and boost the number of visitors to Melbourne’s CBD.

A WorkSafe spokesman said: “The advice of the Department of Health and CHO should be followed in all workplaces.”

“Physical distancing is one of a suite of control measures that should form part of a COVID safe plan, appropriate to each individual workplace.”