Issue date: Wednesday, 26 May 2021

Senators, members and staff will all be aware of the unique nature of Parliament House as a workplace, with people travelling to sitting weeks from around the country. Given the evolving situation in Victoria, we consulted with Commonwealth Health officials this morning to discuss matters related to the coming sitting week, travel and building operations.

MPs and Staff returning to or planning on travelling to Victoria this weekend

MPs and Staff who intend to return to Victoria this weekend should be aware ACT entry conditions may change without notice or on very short notice. This may delay or restrict travel back to the ACT next week. While advice on this issue is not yet available, it is appropriate Parliamentarians and staff may consider whether to remain in Canberra this weekend (a long weekend in the ACT) if they are able to do so.

Transit through NSW to Victoria

If you intend to travel to Victoria this weekend via NSW by car or plane, and intend to return to the ACT by road, please be aware of the new NSW Health requirements to register your entry to NSW, even for transit, here.

If you have been to a close contact exposure location (Tier 1 exposure site) in Victoria:

If you become aware that you have attended a close contact exposure site in Victoria, you must:

• immediately quarantine for 14 days since last attending the venue.
• call ACT Health on (02) 5124 6209.
• get tested for COVID-19, regardless of whether symptoms are present, as advised by ACT Health.

If you have been to a casual contact exposure location (Tier 2 exposure site) in Victoria

If you become aware that you have attended a casual contact exposure location you must:

• get tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate until you receive a negative test result
• continue to monitor for symptoms for at least 14 days since you have been in the location.

If you have been to an exposure site or have COVID-19 symptoms, here is a reminder of the notification process. It is important you report through your own organisation’s COVID-19 notification process

Building Occupant/Organisation	Contact
Members of House of Representatives	James Catchpole, Serjeant-At-Arms Phone: 02 6277 4444
Senators	John Begley, Usher of the Black Rod Phone: 02 6277 3398
Department of the Senate	John Begley, Usher of the Black Rod Phone: 02 6277 3398
Department of the House of Representatives	James Catchpole, Serjeant-At-Arms Phone: 02 6277 4444
Department of Parliamentary Services	Relevant Branch Head who will advise covid@aph.gov.au
Members of Parliament (Staff)	Ministerial and Parliamentary Services Phone: 02 6215 3333 or mpshelp@finance.gov.au and your relevant House Department as above
Ministerial Wing staff (via your organisation)	Ministerial Wing Support Team Stephen Frost Phone: 02 6277 6087 and your portfolio agency
Parliamentary Budget Office	Amanda Bruce, Assistant Parliamentary Budget Officer Phone: 02 6277 9520
Australian Federal Police	Adrian Norris, Security Controller Parliament House Phone: 02 5126 0000
Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery	Bureau Chief in the first instance, who is to notify: President of the Press Gallery Committee on Phone: 02 6240 4027 or Vice President of the Press Gallery Committee Phone: 02 6275 4656; and   DPS Contracts and Licences Phone: 02 6277 8368
All other Licensees	DPS Contracts and Licences Phone: 02 6277 8368

Transit through Melbourne to enter the ACT

You may transit through Greater Melbourne to enter the ACT without completing the online declaration form if you do not:

• leave the airport, unless it is to go directly to the next mode of transport
• exit the vehicle or mode of transport while in Greater Melbourne.

A reminder to anyone currently in the ACT, that if you have been in the Greater Melbourne area in the last 14 days, you must complete an ACT Health online declaration form – available here.

Important Safeguards

The events in Melbourne are a reminder of behaviours we need to reinforce a this time. Please remember to:

• Maintain good Covid-safe hygiene regarding hand washing, sneezing etc
• All building occupants must continue to follow strict hygiene and physical distancing requirements with which we have all become familiar.  Masks and sanitiser are available throughout the building for your use.
• Do not attend the building if you are feeling unwell.
• Check In CBR QR codes are located at catering venues, the party and committee rooms and around the building. Other than where specifically advised, the Check-in CBR app must be used to register attendance where posted around the building.

As the situation evolves, Senators, Members and staff should continue to monitor the ACT Health website and Victorian Government website for updates, in particular for further sites requiring quarantine, isolation and testing.