Hospitality and retail the focus of COVID compliance checks

A total of 155,572 businesses have been contacted to ensure their compliance with coronavirus restrictions, with some industries targeted.

Chadstone Covid staff prepare for reopening. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Retail and hospitality have been the focus of government agencies monitoring Covid safety compliance as the restrictions ease with a total of 155,572 businesses contacted.

As consumers encounter a mixed bag of approaches from retailers, from stringently enforced to near non-existent, the Department of Human Services, WorkSafe, Department of Transport, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions and the Victorian Fisheries Authority, with the support of the Victoria Police, have been checking relevant businesses are complying with COVID-Safe requirements.

Retain environments have been the focus of COVID compliance checks. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

155,572 businesses were checked for compliance during Melbourne’s restrictions. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesman says over the past few months, departments and agencies across government have been working closely with high-risk industries, including retail to ensure they stay open and their workers are protected.

“In recognition of the warmer weather and extended trading hours, a continued focus of the Operation has been on retail and hospitality.”

The High Risk Industries Engagement and Enforcement Operation team at DJCS continue to take referrals from partner agencies for any high-risk businesses that require follow-up.

Since 28 October, 1378 checks and visits have been undertaken across the retail and hospitality industry to support them and to make sure they are complying with COVID-Safe requirements.

Observed noncompliance in retail industries since includes 33 businesses for non mask wearing, 21 businesses for not observing social distancing and 13 businesses for not providing hand sanitiser.

In addition, there was a targeted phone campaign across hospitality, hairdressing and retail sectors in October and November.

A total of 155,572 businesses were contacted with 1,662 businesses requiring call backs, 917 of these businesses were able to be contacted, with 629 businesses having subsequently implemented a COVIDSafe Plan. The remaining businesses will be referred to DJCS compliance for follow up consideration.

Staff were temperature checked before entering Seed at Chadstone. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

“We know most businesses are doing the right thing. Our continued focus on working with businesses will help us to understand where the gaps and risks are so that we can address these and help businesses and their customers get to a COVID Normal as quickly as possible,” the DJCS spokesman says.

If people have any concerns that a business is not complying with the rules, they can phone the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398, WorkSafe’s advisory line on 1800 136 089 or the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Regardless of who you phone, complaints will be given to the most appropriate agency to act on.

Failure to comply with restrictions can result in an on-the-spot fine of $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses.