A national push promoting social distancing and strict hygiene on building sites appears to be working.
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The campaign is being orchestrated by the Master Builders Australia.
CEO Denita Wawn says the campaign is targeted to everyone working in the building and construction sector.
"Everyone has a responsibility to ensure that social distancing and good hygiene are being practiced," Ms Wawn said.
"Business owners, employers, construction workers, subcontractors, site managers - everyone must be accountable for social distancing and strict hygiene not only on building sites but also off site when on breaks and before and after shifts.
"As an essential industry it's vital to the community and the economy that in this extraordinarily difficult time we can continue building and construction work to provide the livelihoods of 1 in 10 Australians and to support the viability of nearly 400,000 small businesses."
Mitch Joyce from Joyce Constructions said his employees have taken the new guidelines onboard
"We have spread out over our 10 work sites so it kind of does not affect us too much," he said.
We have spread out over our 10 work sites so it kind of does not affect us too much.
- Mitch Joyce
"Our aim is to have just two workers on site at any one time.
"They are certainly taking the necessary precautions. We've supplied them with sanitiser and we ensure they have good supplies available to them."
Mr Joyce said everyone had gotten on the front foot.
"We have a responsibility, as a company, to get all our team onboard and make sure they are continually informed.
"Everyone is on top of the situation and they understand the ramifications if they don't follow these guidelines.
"The more people abide by the rules the quicker we can come back and return to our normal lives."
A Sovereign Hills spokesperson says they continue to evolve their response to the COVID-19 threat.
"As the challenges and changes prompted by COVID-19 continue to evolve, we've adapted the way we are doing business at Sovereign Hills," the spokesperson said.
As the challenges and changes prompted by COVID-19 continue to evolve, we've adapted the way we are doing business at Sovereign Hills.
- Sovereign Hills
Some of those changes include, the land sales centre and display village builders remain open seven days but by appointment only while people are encouraged to call ahead to ensure everyone abides by the latest public gathering restrictions.
Virtual land tours are also available while customers can also conduct a site inspection from their own vehicle.
Despite COVID-19, there has been a positive response to the latest land release - The Heritage - which was released to the market in March.
"As of today, we've attracted expressions of interest for 80% of these lots," the spokesperson said.
COVID-19 construction industry guidelines have been released by the Housing Industry Association.
Importantly, social distancing criteria limits access to any building site to essential workers involved in activity on any given day.
This includes:
- A one person per four square metre rule for building work being undertaken in enclosed or internal spaces.
- Managing project scheduling to ensure there are no more than six workers on site at any one time.
Sovereign Place Sovereign Place Town centre remains open, providing customers with access to essential goods and services.
Ms Wawn said the national campaign would continue for four weeks.
"There are 1.2 million people and nearly 400,000 small businesses in communities around Australia that go to work every day in our industry," she said.
"That is why we have launched this campaign."
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