COVID 19
The Latest On COVID 19.
What it is
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. The disease was first identified in 2019 in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, China, and has since spread globally, resulting in the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Muscle pain, sputum production, diarrhea, and sore throat are less common. While the majority of cases result in mild symptoms, some progress to pneumonia and multi-organ failure.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus_disease_2019]
What you should do
Recommended measures to prevent infection include frequent hand washing, social distancing (maintaining physical distance from others), and keeping hands away from the face.[24] The use of masks is recommended for those who suspect they have the virus and their caregivers, but not for the general public, although simple cloth masks may be used by those who desire them. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus_disease_2019]
COVID-19: The financial support available to small business, state-by-state
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the Australian economy, the federal government has pledged a total of around $189 billion in stimulus packages to try to stop the country from crumbling.
New South Wales Payroll tax waiver
New South Wales has waived payroll tax for the next three months, until the end of the financial year. The waiver is available for businesses with payroll of up to $10 million, and is expected to be applied automatically. The state is also bringing the next round of payroll tax cuts forward, meaning the payroll tax threshold will rise to $1 million in the financial year 2020-21
Fees waived
The state government is scrapping fees and charges for businesses in vulnerable sectors, including for bars, cafes, restaurants and tradespeople. The total allocated for this measure is $80 million, but it is not yet clear exactly which fees will be waived, or for how long. The measure will be administered through Service NSW, and more details are expected to be communicated through this channel.
Investment in local projects
The government has announced $250 million to spend on fast-tracking the maintenance of public assets, including social housing and fencing, as well as $500 million to bring forward capital works and maintenance. It’s unclear how these contracts will be managed, but a spokesperson for the treasurer confirmed the measure is intended to provide opportunities “for businesses of all sizes,” and to create employment. The government has also pledged $250 million to employ additional cleaning staff for public infrastructure, including public transport assets, schools and public buildings.
All Information Sourced From: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/coronavirus/covid-19-stimulus-state-guide/
