Coronavirus Business Support

From 11:59pm on 13 September 2020, it is mandatory for every Victorian business to have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Your COVIDSafe Plan must:

• Set out the actions required to prevent the introduction of coronavirus in your business
• Outline the level of face covering or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for you and your staff
• Detail how you will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus in your workplace
• Demonstrate how you will meet all the requirements set out by the Victorian Government. Some higher-risk industries or workplaces have additional requirements of employers and employees.

COVIDSafe Plans are not difficult to develop with plenty of templates to help get you started. However, they are important and designed to protect not only your business but our economy.

To get you started or support you as you develop your COVID Safe Plan head to COVIDSafe Plan Business Victoria.

Baw Baw Business Support Service 

Throughout the impacts of COVID-19 our Baw Baw Business Support Service is available to all businesses. An experienced and dedicated resource to help you navigate through all the information available to ensure you obtain the right assistance.

To get in contact with our Business Recovery Service, email us at economic.development@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au  or call us on 1300 BAW BAW.

To support businesses to identify funding opportunities for your business we have developed a list of the available opportunities for businesses and community groups.

Please visit, https://bawbaw.grantguru.com.au/coronavirus-funding/

With an abundance of information available to businesses, we have put together the ultimate ‘hit list’ of resources to support you finding the information you need. Below is a list of just a few of our favourite resources.

If you have any questions or would like to know more don’t hesitate to reach out to our Business Support Service on 1300 BAW BAW.

•  Keep up to date with advice from the Department of Health and Human Services. The requirements for safely operating your business can be different depending on your industry, location and several other factors. Checking this link regularly will help ensure you stay up to date with the latest information.
• Make sure you have a COVIDSafe Plan it is a requirement for every Victorian business. These plans can be fairly simple to set up and will protect your business, your staff and our community, a great resource (and a template for you to fill in) can be found at Creating a COVIDSafe workplace.
• The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) have developed an Industry Support Hub. It has a variety of resources for tourism business including guidelines for reopening, signage, creating a safe workplace, managing an outbreak and much more. This information is customised to each industry and is a valuable resource to support you on your journey to reopening and beyond.
• The Department of Health has launched a national campaign to inform all Australians about the coronavirus. They have developed a range of resources for businesses to use.
• Business Victoria also has some great resources on dealing with coronavirus or you can contact the Business Victoria Hotline on 13 22 15.
• FairWork Australia is also a great resource for anyone looking to understand their rights and obligations. You can find further information at FairWork Australia.
• Take care of yourself and your loved ones. This is a stressful time for many business owners. If you are worried about your mental health, or the mental health of a loved one, don’t be afraid to reach out if you need support.

Being a business owner is challenging at the best of times, and with the impacts of COVID-19 every business has faced disruption, increasing stress levels and impacting mental health.

It is important to know how to look after your mental health, as well as that of your employees, here are a few tips from us:

• Stay connected: call your staff, your friends and your family, get online and and use video chat where possible.
• Stay active: get outside and enjoy some exercise each day, marathon running not required, even a walk around the block each day will work wonders.
• Eat well: while a little chocolate is good for the soul try and eat regular, healthy meals.
• Take a break: Find a moment to do something you enjoy, whether it's dancing in the kitchen, or sewing, or gardening, take the time to enjoy your hobbies.
• Get support: you may have to pivot your business, or let go of staff, access resources from Council to help you build a plan on how to shift, or how to allow yourself and your business to have hope for the future.

And if you are struggling, or a staff member is facing challenges, reach out and speak to a friend or a professional. You can contact your GP and set up a mental health plan to get access to professional services or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

Business owners can access support on the Partners in Wellbeing website. 

As our community responds with precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many local businesses are feeling the impacts.

Council is currently working through ways we can assist directly with things like rates, fees and charges. We’re also advocating to other levels of Government for the need for assistance with rates relief.

In the face of the current challenges, it has been amazing to see local businesses and residents respond to changing situations so quickly. By supporting local businesses where we can, we are all helping to keep our economy resilient and ready to bounce back. 

Here are some helpful tips to share with your customers to support them to Be Kind to Business in Baw Baw:

• Buy a gift card now and enjoy it later. It helps businesses keep cash flowing and it’ll be a great reason to get out and celebrate when things open up again.
• Shop online with local businesses. Lots of our local businesses have a website for shopping online and lots of great products on show via their Instagram and Facebook Pages.
• Shop over the phone. If your favourite business isn’t online, give them a call and see if you can buy your product over the phone to arrange a quick pick up or arrange delivery.
• Leave a review. It’s a tough and uncertain time for many businesses, and if you can’t spare the cash head online and leave them a review, show them a little love so our businesses know just how much they mean to our community!
• Get on social media: Like, comment, and share posts from local small businesses. A click of a button, or a friendly comment means more people will see their posts, and they can share their products and services with even more people.