The Canberra Times readers have asked some prickly questions about what they can and cannot do while social distancing measures are in place.
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We took a look at some of their questions.
Can I take my learner driver out for driving lessons?
Yes you can.
Learners are still able to drive with supervisors from their household and professional driving instructors.
Driving lessons with supervising licensed drivers are classed as an educational activity that cannot be done remotely.
Professional instructors can still teach driving students because it is considered a work activity that cannot be done from home.
Learner drivers, their supervisors and driving instructors should consider social distancing practices in cars.
Learner drivers may choose to practise only with people from their household as a precaution.
Driving instructors should consider sanitising their car between lessons, and having shorter lessons with learners.
Learners taking lessons with driving instructors may consider wearing gloves while driving.
Driving lessons should also remain within the ACT.
While NSW has called driving lessons a "reasonable" excuse to leave the house, NSW might not consider it reasonable for a Canberran to do a driving lesson in NSW.
If my boyfriend and I live together and we go to walk the dog can we hold hands?
Yes you can.
If you live with your significant other, you do not need to practise social distancing with them.
However, if you do not live in the same household as your partner, you still need to maintain social distance.
Are casual teachers eligible for financial relief?
Yes.
While full-time and part-time teachers' incomes and work hours remain the same, many casual teachers will have less shifts during the coronavirus pandemic.
The ACT branch of the Australian Education Union and ACT Education Directorate have struck a deal that guarantees eligible casual teachers an income in line with their regular work pattern, even if they are not required to work.
The Education Directorate will be contacting eligible casuals directly and they will receive their first payment this week.
Casual teachers who've worked regularly, but with irregular hours, will be paid based on their prior six months work pattern.
Can you go to a friend's personal gym and train with them under the current legislation?
Probably. But it's going to be awkward ...
Let's break things down.
You are allowed to have up to two people from outside your household at your house during social distancing if each person is able to have four square metres of space to themselves.
Also - two people are allowed to get together and exercise outside if they stick to social distancing measures.
So, you can go to your friend's house. You can use their gym equipment, but it should be thoroughly sanitised first. There's nothing that's been said specifically against exercising inside your friend's house. But doing that while adhering to social distancing rules is going to be awkward.
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A lot of exercise in a gym setting requires touching or being close.
If your friend is spotting you while you're doing weights, they cannot come over and fix your position if you are holding them the wrong way.
Exercises such as boxing also require being physically close, so you can't do that while social distancing.
If you're on a treadmill and your friend is on a cross trainer two metres away, you need to sanitise everything thoroughly before you can switch.
You are much better off exercising outside. You can do that alone, or with a friend ... if they are at least 1.5 metres away.
I am a casual employee and have been in my job for less than 12 months. Am I eligible to receive the JobKeeper payment?
No you are not. JobKeeper is only available for part-time workers, full-time workers, and casual workers who have been employed in a job on a "regular and systematic" basis for longer than 12 months as of March 1.
To be eligible for the JobKeeper payment, you also have to:
- Be currently employed by an employer who is eligible for the JobKeeper payment.
- Have been at least 16 years of age as of March 1.
- Have been an Australian citizen, the holder of a permanent visa, or the holder of a Subclass 444 Special Category visa as of March 1.
- Not be already receiving the JobKeeper payment through another employer.
What about tradespeople coming to your house? Is the limit also two?
Tradespeople can work at a residence as long as there aren't already two people who don't usually live there in the house, and each person is able to have four square metres of space to themselves.
These restrictions are void - meaning, more than two tradespeople can come to your house - if they are there to carry out "urgent" or "essential" repairs.
with Cassandra Morgan
- Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that only casual, part time, and full time employees who have been employed for at least 12 months are eligible for job keeper. The eligibility for the program is for all full time or part time employees, and casual workers who have been employed for at least 12 months on a regular and systemic basis.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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