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Victorian blind and shutter retailers are anxiously awaiting the announcement on Sunday (18th October) from Premier Daniel Andrews in relation to the lifting of coronavirus restrictions which has stopped all installation and on site quoting of residential work.
In correspondence with the Blind Manufacturers Association of Australia (BMAA) a Victorian Government spokesperson has said that under the “Third Step” in restriction easing, retailers will be able to again install blinds, awnings, shutters and curtains at occupied residential premises under strict Covid-safe rules.
Quoting on new work will also be able to take place under similar conditions.
The news comes after the BMAA had earlier lobbied blinds and shutter installers to be included in the list of Specialist Contractors in September and installers have been permitted to work in unoccupied premises during the most severe stages of the lockdown.
Since then, the BMAA has written to the Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, requesting that the industry be permitted to quote and install in occupied premises when Victoria moves to the next step of the regulations.
In an email reply shared with BMAA members this week, a Victorian Government spokesperson confirmed that internal renovations are permitted under the Third Step where it is possible to create a physical barrier between the workers and occupants, or the occupier can temporarily vacate the premises for duration of the works. Quotations are also permitted whilst the occupier temporarily vacates.
“As specialist contractors, window shutters and blind installers are included in this easing. Your works will be permitted under the Third Step in compliance with the guidelines,” the spokesperson said.
Originally the Third Step was to be taken on the 19th of October if the case numbers in metropolitan Melbourne fell below five a day on average for the previous 14 days. This target is now mathematically impossible but the Premier has indicated that some restrictions will be eased from Monday, however these are likely to be social not economic in nature.
It is not yet clear how the change to the roadmap will impact the dates Step Three will be taken allowing the industry to start servicing retail clients in the metro area.
