COVID-19 Update
Southern Tasmania will be in lockdown from 6pm today Friday 15 October for three days.
Following this afternoon’s announcement by Premier Peter Gutwein, we can confirm that Southern Tasmania will be going into a 3-day lockdown commencing on Friday 15th October 2021 at 6 pm and will conclude at 6 pm on Monday 18th October 2021.
The Local Government (Council) areas subject to the lockdown include:
- Brighton Council
- Central Highlands
- Southern Midlands Council
- Derwent Valley Council
- Glenorchy Council
- Sorell Council
- Hobart Council
- Huon Valley Council
- Kingborough Council
- Tasman Council
- Clarence Council
If you don’t live in these Local Government (Council) areas this lockdown doesn’t apply to you.
We do however encourage you to continue to monitor the Coronavirus Tas webpage – https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/ for any updates.
Permitted Business
Huon is a permitted business as outlined by the Tasmanian Government and is authorised to continue to operate as per the following category:
- Farming activities and other operations relating to agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, irrigation, permaculture, apiculture, grains, fibre production, dairy, flower industry, commercial fishing, aquaculture
There are however several restrictions that we must adhere to, which include:
- Following our COVID-19 Safety plans
- Complying with density requirements of 1 person per 4 square metres for any office spaces
- Ensuring physical distancing of 1.5m within worksites where possible
- Continue to follow personal hygiene practices
What does this mean to you?
Any affected employees in essential operational positions such as Marine Operations, Fresh Water, and the Control room are required to continue to attend work as per normal rosters.
As per the Government directive, Office-based employees are being requested to work from home where possible on Monday. If this is not possible, you can attend the office but must comply with the controls listed below.
Keeping you safe
In all Huon sites we have COVID-19 Safety plans. These plans outline how we can safely work adhering to the safety management plans in place. If you have any questions about these plans, please speak with your Manager or your WHS Team member.
Following is a reminder of the controls in place to keep you safe at work.
- Hand Hygiene – It is good practice to clean your hands before and after touching common touchpoints, e.g. door handles and other items in common use areas.
- Social Distancing – When possible, it is important to try and maintain a 1.5 Metre distance from others when at work or in public. The more space between you and others, the harder it is for a potential virus to spread.
- COVID Safe workplace behaviours – Please refer to > https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/124273/COVID-safe-Behaviours-for-the-workplace-A4-Poster.pdf
If you have any symptoms, please make contact with the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 671 738 to arrange for a test.
Face Masks
It is a requirement that you wear a face mask when leaving your home. For employees working on the weekend and Monday facemasks will be available and distributed across sites. Alternatively, you can bring along your own masks. For further information on these restrictions please refer to https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/families-community/lockdown-plan. Please contact the WHS Team for further information.
Essential Worker Letters
An essential worker email will be sent to ALL southern employees which you can provide to authorities if requested when travelling to/from work.
WHS Team Contacts
- Stuart Lovell 0419 318 746
- Dominic McLaren 0447 679 732
- Dominique Koppen 0477 669 945
- Kylie Clark 0429 583 610
Links for further information
For further information please refer to:
- Media Release – https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/families-community/covid-19-coronavirus-lockdown
- Open permitted business – https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/families-community/lockdown-plan/businesses#open-es
- Coronavirus homepage –https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/
- Face Masks – https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/families-community/lockdown-plan
We all need to continue to be vigilant in ensuring we keep ourselves and our family safe over this time.
—-Ends—-
Tassie Salmon Campaign:
The following information has been developed for Huon Aquaculture employees. With the ongoing attention on the company and the industry from THAT book, we’ve established this site as an information source for our employees. We will include links to communication materials and resources (ie facts and myth-busters!) on the issues currently receiving community attention.
If you have additional concerns or require answers to any issue not covered by these materials, please contact the Communications Team on communications@huonaqua.com.au or via 0418 313 414
Message to staff:
Peter Bender update to Employee Shareholders (28/09/2021) >
Peter Bender update to staff regarding full year results to 30 June 2021 (26/08/2021) >
Peter Bender update to staff regarding the status of acquisition by JBS (23/08/2021) >
JBS Australia’s acquisition of Huon Aquaculture fact sheet (from JBS, 23/08/2021) >
Peter Bender message to staff regarding JBS Australia acquisition of Huon Aquaculture (06/08/2021) >
Frances Bender message to staff regarding social media video (16/07/2021) >
The following documents can be downloaded and shared with your family, friends and community:
Steve Percival’s opinion piece as published by the Mercury on 9/6/2021 >
Steve Percival’s letter to the editor as published by the Mercury on 15/6/2021 >
TSGA newspaper adverts. These adverts are appearing in The Mercury, Examiner and Advocate on Saturdays:
Over the coming weeks and months, the Communications and Marketing teams will be rolling out information across social media platforms. Visit the Huon Aquaculture Facebook page or the Huon Salmon Facebook page for more information and facts about Huon’s operations.
A friendly reminder that when engaging on any social media platform that your actions must align with Huon’s Social Media Policy, Code of Conduct and our Online Community Guidelines. Copies of these documents can be found on the Huon intranet or by contacting the HR team.
If you are approached by members of the public around these issues or about your employment in the industry, be polite, professional and level-headed. It would be helpful for the Communications team to be aware of this interaction so please report it to your line manager.
Helpful videos:
Author Richard Flanagan shocked us yesterday when he said the Tassie salmon industry is unhealthy and unsustainable
So, we invited aquaculture expert and Tasmanian Salmonid Growers Association spokesperson David Whyte on this morning to respond to the claims. pic.twitter.com/qlm9CZBS2u
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) April 28, 2021
