In line with advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, the Victorian Government has announced that metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will return to Stage 3 restrictions from 11.59pm on Wednesday 8 July 2020.

As an essential service to the Victorian Bar, BCL will continue to operate and provide services and support to all barristers.

For the safety of all, it is our responsibility to ensure that we all play our part in following the regulations.

If you are presenting with or feel you are showing any symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, shortness of breath) please self isolate, be tested and for the safety of other members, please inform the Victorian Bar immediately on 9225 7111.

Access to BCL Properties

Currently under review and to be determined.

• Main Entry Foyer – All main entry doors are now open during business hours.
• Floor Access – For your continued safety and security all floors will remain swipe access only (barristers on the floor, staff and clerk access) unless agreed by the group.

If your group agrees to provide alternative access please organise for the Group Representatives to contact the BCL Service Desk.

Social distancing

Social distancing is an important part of mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic.  BCL has installed signage in all common areas of properties encouraging the ongoing practice of social distancing and safe working practices.

Cleaning

BCL has been proactive and will continue to increase the level of cleaning across all buildings where required including:

• Hand sanitiser stations placed in ground floor lobbies.
• Hand sanitisers placed in the lift lobby of all floors.
• Hand sanitisers placed in the car parks for Owen Dixon Chambers East and Owen Dixon Chambers West.
• Nightly cleaning of all floors, including chambers.
• Increased daily cleaning of entrance points including inside and outside of lifts, entrance handles and handrails.
• Deep cleaning and additional cleaning will be completed as required.

Presenting with symptoms or confirmed cases of COVID-19

To ensure the safety of all members, please self isolate and notify the Victorian Bar immediately on 9225 7111 if you are presenting with any symptoms or have a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Social distancing

It is important that we all follow government advice around social distancing, this includes:

• Maintaining 1.5m distance at all times.
• Ensuring overcrowding of lift carriages does not occur.
• Reducing contact with shared surfaces such as common area furniture.
• Encouraging and practicing reduced activity in common area kitchens and break out areas.
• In cases where conference rooms are required, reducing meeting room capacity by monitoring the number of people per room is advised.  If your floor does not have adequate meeting room facilities for social distancing please contact the Victorian Bar Meditation Centre who may be able to provide facilities free of charge.
• Disinfecting meeting rooms with provided antibacterial wipes after use.

Practicing good hygiene

• We recommend sanitising hands when entering and exiting both the building and all floors.
• Follow COVID signage instructions throughout building.
• We ask that you please do not enter any BCL property if you present with any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, shortness of breath).
• Please wash your hands before and after consuming food within chambers and common areas.
• If you fall within the COVID-19 high risk category, please maintain appropriate caution levels when attending BCL properties.

• For Australian Government safe work information please visit the Safe Work Australia website – https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au.
• For current restrictions and updates in your region, please visit https://www.health.gov.au.
• To ensure the safety of yourself and others, the Australian Government Department of Health recommendation is to download the COVIDSafe App – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app.
• For information on the global coronavirus pandemic, visit the World Health Organisation (WHO) website – https://www.who.int.