A COVID-19 guide for food businesses in Queensland

The following is from the latest COVID-19 updates from the Food Industries Association of Queensland and is included here with permission. More can be found at the website https://foodindustries.com.au/april-9th-covid-19-update-for-food-manufacturing-industry/

1. Queensland border restrictions have tightened again as of 3rd April.
2. The person must get a border pass. We have been advised to tick Specialist critical to maintaining key government services and FIFO, which is the 5th tick box.
3. Your company must have lodged a Health Plan and must have received an approval / acknowledgement. There is one email for all health plans to be submitted to covid.plans@health.qld.gov.au From what we have been told they have quite quick turnaround times. You must provide the health plan to the person that will be crossing the border.
4. Your company must provide a letter for the person (service technician etc.) stating that they will conduct services / work for you for a specified period of time and ensure that the person complies with the health plan. This may also include details around accommodation if required.
5. Also attached to the webpage are AFGC guidelines that are quite well written. Also refer to FIAQ protocol. As that has been amended for QLD jurisdiction.
6. Safe Food QLD together with DAF have developed guidelines and a checklist. Whilst this has been developed for agribusinesses, it can be applied to food manufacturing to some extent.
7. For those who export and use air freight, effective FROM TODAY for a period of 4 weeks – totaling 540 flights for the month have been added. To access flights – please utilise your standard freight operations channels. You can also have your say on the link above regarding this which is a federal government initiative.
8. And lastly, just a reminder if you are facing difficulties to obtain materials or supplies, there is a link available for you to register your details with, also on the FIAQ webpage.

The following is a link which FIAQ has developed to assist fgood businesses dur4ing the COVID-19 outbreak;

https://foodindustries.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CoVID19_GuidelinesForIndustry_APR20.pdf