Australian Sign & Graphics Association Victoria chair Mick Harrold says he's hoping an announcement on Sunday from the Victorian Government will shed light on how a move to stage two Covid-19 restrictions will impact the sign industry.
“The plan was for us to move to Step 2 on Monday and we have been told that this will happen,” Harrold told ASGA members in an update on Friday afternoon. “However, what is frustrating is that we don't know what Stage 2 looks like. The Government has not updated their advice on step 2 since they announced it 3 weeks ago, leaving us largely in the dark as to what we are allowed to do on Monday.
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| "Tune in for the Sunday broadcast": ASGA VIC chair Mick Harrold |
“The glass half-full view here is that we may enjoy a greater easing of restrictions than we previously were told, which is good. We have been told that there may be some relaxation of restrictions around outdoor works which could open up a lot more installation work. But to be honest, I am not sure even they know what they are going to say on Sunday.
“The real point is to tune in for the Sunday broadcast,” Harrold says. “We will try and help you decipher it on Monday.”
Meanwhile, it appears most signage businesses have been left out of the third stage of government business grants.
“We have a disappointing development to note," says Harrold. "A third stage of business grants had been proposed with companies able to receive either $10,000, $15,000 and $20,000. The details around this have been released and can be found on the link below.
“To qualify, your business must be registered with one of approved ANZSIC codes. The disappointing part is that most businesses in our sector seem to be ineligible for this round of support. If you need to know what your ANZSIC code is, there is a link below where you can log in and check it.
“I can't hide my disappointment here, but I will go for the glass half-full approach again and hope that we have been left off the list because we are going to be able to work to a much higher level next week and can earn a real income. I will take paid work over a handout any day of the week, but both would be nice! However, if we aren't opening up next week, we might get nothing instead and I may let my frustrations spill out.
“Also, don't take my word for it that you can't get the grant. Use the links below to check your eligibility. I would hate to be responsible for people missing out on money.
"Keep positive. Always log on to the ASGA website for full details .”
Third round of the Business Support Fund
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