COVID-19 latest

Network volumes have remained strong with April seeing more than 85.9 million containers returned across 137 sites. Considering the absence of commercial volumes and closure of some sites this is a fantastic effort and proof that our customers are still keen to use the scheme to cash in.

Many of you have commented on our current marketing campaign promoting scheme ID sign ups and bag drops. The campaign includes radio, print, social media and outdoor advertising and is in-market in most regions across Queensland. Since the campaign began, we have had a surge in scheme ID sign ups with more than 10,000 new IDs being issued in April alone.

While we maintain our focus on day to day scheme operations the COEX team also have one eye firmly on the future. We have recently refreshed our organisational strategy to ensure that our business is in the best position to achieve our overarching target of 85% container return rate for the network. Included in this are initiatives such as our “ideal operator” blueprint resource for operators, a community group blueprint to acquire more volumes from charities community organisations and local area marketing campaign assets. We will be sharing these initiatives with you online over the coming months and look forward to talking them through with you face to face as soon as we are able.

Finally, and as restrictions begin to ease across Queensland, it is essential that we remain vigilant around social distancing and hygiene on sites. There have been a number of instances where some CRP operators have decided to relax their approach to social distancing and hygiene controls and therefore, we remind you that government directions remain in place as do our expectations – our compliance programs will continue through your Contract Managers. Your excellent efforts to date have kept the scheme operating and we thank you for your support.

Bag Drop Campaign Poster

Thank you for your ongoing work to ensure the safe operation of the scheme across the state. There have been several changes required at a site level to comply with the Federal and State Government regulations around COVID-19 and we truly appreciate your efforts.

As you would know compliance with these regulations is what has kept our scheme safe and operating, keeping people in jobs and providing customers with a way to make extra cash when they need has been a remarkable achievement. COEX has produced a range of resources for use across the scheme to help educate customers, staff and operators of COVID-19 health and safety regulations. We have also produced and distributed large format signage to help promote scheme ID sign up and the use of bag drop services to help minimise personal contact between staff and customers. Floor stencils and stickers with the Containers for Change branding are on their way to assist all sites.

You would all be aware that COEX’s Workplace Health and Safety team & Contract Managers have commenced COVID-19 visits, aimed at ensuring all COVID-19 controls and signage is in place and working. During each visit we work through a checklist with the aim of identifying and capturing those actions you have taken and maintained to comply with and in many cases exceed government requirements. The checklist (below) is so you can continue to ensure you are compliant and operating safely. It is important to note that even though there is soon to be a relaxation of some restrictions, we must continue to remain committed to ensuring all controls remain in place. Below is also a matrix to help you understand which items are applicable to which sort of sites, including which items are mandatory to display.

Thank you again for your support in providing Queenslanders with continued safe and accessible access to the scheme. If you have any questions regarding the COVID-19 site visits or any of the resources below or on this page please contact your Contract Manager for assistance.

COVID Inspection Checklist – applicable to operator site type (300420)

COVID Resources – site type and applicable documents (300420)

It seems that our communities are understanding new ways to engage with the scheme as we are still seeing in excess of 300 registrations for scheme IDs each day – this is telling us that many customers are adapting and looking for new contactless ways to receive their refunds. On top of the increase in scheme registrations, overall redemption volumes have improved over the last two weeks and in the last week are well up on the same period from 2019 in most regions.

From today businesses are able to apply for the Federal Government’s JobKeeper payment which supports businesses significantly affected by the coronavirus. The payment is designed to keep Australians in jobs by enabling employers, sole traders and other entities to pay their eligible employee’s wages of at least $1,500 (before tax) per fortnight. The full payment must be passed on to the employee. You can apply for the JobKeeper payment through the ATO’s Business Portal, in ATO online services using myGov if you are a sole trader, or through a registered tax or BAS agent. Applications for the first round of payments close on Sunday 26 April so please investigate this option and see if it applies to you. You can get more information on this payment from the ATO here. Below is also our previous summary of all the State and Federal support packages.

By now many of you would have started receiving large format signage, scheme ID tags and bags to promote your bag drop services. The remainder of these will arrive in the coming days and will be followed by floor stickers and/or stencils to help support your existing controls in place around social distancing at your site. Please contact us if you have any queries about these items or need assistance.

Our marketing campaign promoting scheme operation and bag drop services has kicked off and is on radio networks across the state. A targeted social media campaign is also underway and will be supplemented by outdoor advertising around supermarkets, bottle shops and other public places promoting scheme ID sign up and bag drop services.

You will have noted that we have adjusted the frequency of our updates. We will now provide those where relevant, of course if there is anything you wish to discuss or raise, please don’t hesitate to contact Shaun Fraser at shaun.fraser@containerexchange.com.au or your Contract Manger.

As always please keep us informed of any changes to your times and days of operation so we can ensure our website and contact centre team can inform customers.

Government support packages summary

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the safe and sustainable operation of the scheme.

Compliance program

We have begun our series of site visits to offer support to operators as we change the way we operate as a result of COVID-19. The purpose of these visits is to gather supporting evidence of our scheme’s compliance, ensuring all health regulations and directions are in place. We have produced and collated a number of resources for display at your sites which are all available here – feel free to download and use whatever you need.

Volume stabilisation

Closure of pubs, clubs and restaurants has had a direct impact on volumes of the past two weeks, yet data emerging from the network this week is showing that volumes are beginning to stabilise. Customers are receiving the message that the scheme is still open for business and that they can return via contactless methods to receive their refunds. We will keep you up-to-date with volume trends as they develop.

Claim and payment changes

With several public holidays coming up on the calendar we wanted to clarify dates for claims and payments. Easter falls this weekend with a public holiday on Monday 13 April – this means that the prior week’s payment claims will be due by 12 noon Tuesday 14 April and the usual payment will be made on the Tuesday. Your Contract Manager would have already been in touch with you regarding Easter operating hours, if you have missed each other, please ensure you advise any operating hour changes by midday Wednesday 8 April to allow time for that to be reflected on the website.

Should you have any queries about trading hours or payment claim changes, please contact your Contract Manager.

As we approach the end of another week in these challenging times, our scheme continues to operate because of your commitment to safe and effective recycling. Our focus remains on following the official health advice and promoting and practicing ‘contact-free’ customer service and recycling wherever possible.

The Federal and State Government assistance packages which may support your businesses or employees have been reviewed and outlined in the below document. Should you have any questions in regards to your eligibility for these initiatives, please speak with your Contract Manager or seek independent advice if relevant.

Our targeted Facebook campaign promoting bag drops and scheme ID sign-ups has commenced and we will provide campaign results as they become available. If you have any queries or concerns, please keep in touch with your Contract Managers who are there to assist and support you wherever possible.

Please keep following the preventative measures of strict hand hygiene, not touching your face, physical distancing and staying home if unwell.

Thank you for your continued support.

Government support packages summary

We have appreciated your responsiveness as we have adapted the way we operate to align with COVID-19 government regulations.

To help support you in introducing new processes at your sites we are organising site visits to be carried out by COEX operations staff and external providers. These visits are to assist you with any queries you may have about how to ensure your site is COVID-19 compliant for the benefit of the network and your communities. Given the travel restrictions in place we will be teleconferencing with some regional sites.

With another weekend approaching we would remind you to let us know of any changes to operating hours at your site, again we encourage you to discuss those with your Contract Manager – further, any changes you are considering will be supported in the interests of your business’s sustainability. Please note that our Call Centre is still consistently receiving calls from customers checking that their chosen CRP is open, so it’s vital that we can communicate any adjustments to them.

We have distributed a range of resources to help you through this challenging period and they are now available on a single web page on the Container Exchange website. You can review all of our operator emails as well as download the fact sheets, posters and social media assets by clicking here. Please note that this page isn’t public and can only be accessed by the link so please bookmark it for easy access. We will continue to save resources on this page for your use.

We are finalising a document detailing the range of support packages that have been developed by the Federal and State Governments – the document is designed to help you identify which programs may help your business depending on your situation. This will be sent to all operators tomorrow, we hope you will find it useful.

The COVID-19 situation is evolving constantly and advice that is current one day can change the next.

We understand that this is a frustrating environment in which to operate a business, but I want to assure you we are doing our utmost to adapt our operating model to protect the sustainability of the scheme. We absolutely appreciate and listen to your feedback and incorporate that into our daily updates. The latest round of restrictions on non-essential services came into effect at midnight last night from the Queensland Government – you can click here to see the full list of restricted businesses and relevant exemptions. Importantly, Container Refund Points were not on that list and the advice we can continue to follow has remained consistent.

Our Contract Managers are in daily contact with you all, staying up-to-date with your unique and changing operating environments. We are using the information you provide to them along with official advice to develop initiatives to help you all adapt your offering as regulations change.

Please stay safe, stay positive and we will be in touch with more news tomorrow.

As we all continue to work in this time of uncertainty it can take a toll on our mental health and wellbeing. The safety and health of our people, our operators and their teams remain a top priority for Container Exchange (COEX) and we hope you will reach out to us if you have any concerns in this area. We have developed a poster for you to display in break rooms and other staff only areas at your sites. It includes contact details for a number of support services who may be able to give another perspective on any worries or concerns you or your staff may have. You can find this poster below.

Latest government support

While announcements around Federal and State Government support packages for businesses and workers is welcome, it can be confusing and hard to digest. We are in the process of reviewing all the packages currently available and assessing eligibility for business within our scheme. We will come back to you as soon as we have carried out this review and identify which programs will best suit your business and your employees. Of course, everyone’s circumstances are individual and you will still need to review the information yourselves and seek your own independent advice if relevant.

As usual we thank you for your support in this challenging time. Please keep following the preventative measures of strict hand hygiene, not touching your face, physical distancing and staying home if unwell.

If you have any queries or concerns, please keep in touch with your Contract Managers who are there to assist and support you wherever possible.

Mental health poster

The Federal Government has announced stricter social distancing regulations as part of the continued response to manage the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia. As an organisation we are continuing to adapt to the changing environment and we wanted to highlight the importance to our scheme and our individual safety in adhering to these new guidelines.

Physical distancing

Queensland Police now have the power to issue on the spot fines for breaches of directions that support efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. A number of you have already had Queensland Police visiting your sites, understandably and importantly the police are checking that these regulations are being adhered to. It is imperative that all operators are enforcing physical distancing of 1.5 metres between individuals at their sites and respecting the four square metre rule when indoors. Our network remains operational because we have all shown a high level of compliance with all government directives around COVID-19. Failure to do so jeopardises individual sites and our entire network. As a group we must do our utmost to adhere to physical distancing rules by implementing procedures such as:

• mark clear paths for movement of customers through CRPs
• make 1.5 metre points on the floor for customers to follow in queues
• make a barrier around cash pick-up areas to ensure 1.5 metres between staff and customers.

Marketing support

While the majority of you have your own signage in place we have a number of marketing assets which you will be provided with to help your management of physical distancing and importantly other changes in the way you do business on your site. A series of large format posters are being printed and distributed directly to you this week. An electronic A3 version of these posters is available to download (see below) so operators can print these for display on your sites in the meantime. A new pre-approved social media tile is also available (see below). The message promotes the fact that the scheme is open for business and is accompanied by three pre-approved messages that all operators are able to use on their social channels (see below).

As usual, we thank you for your support in this challenging time. If you have any queries or concerns, please keep in touch with your Contract Managers who are there to assist and support you wherever possible.

Contactless cash; social distancing; hand hygiene poster
Social distancing; contact-free cashing in; hand hygiene (for sites with bag drops) poster
Drive-through poster
Social activity posts and instructions
Get some bucks in the bank contact free social media tile
We are open social media tile

It’s been a big week for us all! We continue to respond with great agility and positivity to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We move into the weekend with newly introduced compulsory quarantining measures announced by the Prime Minister today to help stop the spread of the virus from residents arriving back to Australia.

Importantly our scheme continues to operate because of your commitment. Our continual adherence with the latest Federal and State Government health advice around personal and surface hygiene, as well as limiting the number of vehicles and customers in your depot at one time and practicing physical distancing should remain our focus.

Our targeted Facebook campaign promoting bag drops and scheme ID sign-ups will commence this weekend and we will monitor the results as it progresses. Many of you have connected with the COEX team over the last few days, rest assured your feedback will be included in our social media posts.

Amid the uncertainty we are also looking for positive stories that will help motivate our network and our customers, and there are still many of them! If you have regulars who are still cashing in for their refunds, or volunteers who are still doing their bit for the community, please let us know. Stay in touch with us and each other and try to take some time with your loved ones.

Keep at it and your chins up.

We hope you and your team are well and continuing to adapt in your work and home life to help keep your colleagues and families safe.

Business continuity

One of the reasons our scheme remains open is because we have all been strictly abiding by State and Federal Government health guidelines around COVID-19. We appreciate your continued diligence in adhering to this health advice and would ask that all staff at your sites are familiar with the latest requirements, particularly in relation to social distancing. Ways to apply these measures in a CRP environment include limiting the number of vehicles using drive-throughs at one time, lowering the number of customers inside an over-the-counter depot and encouraging customers to use a scheme ID and avoid cash. If you have implemented any measures that have been particularly successful on your site please feel free to share them with us so we can share with the network.

As mentioned, COEX Contract Managers are in the process of ensuring there is strict compliance across the scheme.

COEX support

Many of our sites have opted to direct customers to bag drop modes of container return. We are continuing to distribute mesh bags and scheme ID tags to the network to facilitate this. We are also in the process of distributing 20′ container infrastructure with the first containers to be mobilised tomorrow. We are also developing a range of assets, which you will be able to use to educate customers on the process and promote your service. Two fact sheets are available (see below) to assist with that process – one featuring messaging for customers and one for operators and staff. Please review these and print and display them at your site. An integrated social media campaign is being developed as a priority to further promote this mode of return and we will come back to you all soon with details of that.

In the meantime, CRP operators with a social media presence are welcome to share the existing bag drop animation featuring on the Containers for Change Queensland Facebook page. The post can be found here – just click the share button below to post it to your site’s Facebook page.

Thank you for your continued positive response to this everchanging environment. As a network we have worked collaboratively, followed health advice stringently and we are operating well. We will be back in touch tomorrow, but in the meantime please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you need assistance of any kind.

Bag drop fact sheet for customers
Bag drop fact sheet for operators

We hope you and your team are all well. An update following from the Prime Minister’s announcement last night is below:

The Prime Minister’s update

With more restrictions announced for Australia last night, some of you may be feeling apprehensive about what this means for your business.

COEX would like to assure you we are working very hard and implementing measures so that the network can remain operational during this time. It’s important you and your staff are doing what you can to help us by following the health authority guidelines we send through about best practice hygiene procedures and social distancing. You should be strongly encouraging and directing your team to adopt these measures amongst your staff and customers to safeguard the future of your business.

Please take your staff through the messages and materials we send through to you each day to avoid apprehension and the disregard of health authorities’ advice. We have asked our Contract Managers to check in with you and ascertain your progress.

Social distancing

In keeping with the latest Federal Government announcement around social distancing, the COEX team will transition to a remote working model from close of business tomorrow. Please rest assured we are still working and contactable, we will just be doing so from a different location. You will be able to reach your COEX point of contact by email or mobile, as usual.

Bags and labels rollout

Our reusable mesh bags and scheme ID tags are heading out to depots this week. Again, we encourage any depot who has the infrastructure to offer this service at their site as a way for customers to return their containers with minimal personal contact between staff and the customers – it’s a win-win.

Cash handling

If you offer cash at your site, it’s imperative your staff are using gloves then disposing of these or washing their hands thoroughly after. Either way, they should not be touching their face. Where you can, you should encourage customers to use a scheme ID to avoid cash. If you choose to no longer offer cash, please let your Contract Manager know so we can update this on the website.

World Health Organisation (WHO) video

A short video by the WHO on COVID-19 has been released, taking you through how the virus can be transmitted. You may want to watch and share with your staff as it indicates how to protect yourself from COVID-19. The main points being that people should avoid touching their face and practice social distancing.

We’ll have more updates tomorrow. Please stay safe, take care of yourself and do not hesitate to reach out to the team if you require any assistance.

Thank you for your support as we continue to work with you all to understand the most sustainable and safe way to deliver the Containers for Change scheme in the environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic. COEX appreciates the efforts our operators are making to keep the network safe and open, and ensuring staff and customers are well informed of ways they can continue to engage with the scheme at this time.

Business support package update

There have been further announcements of Federal and State Government support measures for businesses impacted by COVID-19. We have updated our summaries. Please refer to the below documents for the latest information. Your Contract Manager will be in touch with you to ensure you understand what support packages are available to you. Whether you access these packages is of course dependent on your individual situation.

Communicating with staff

We continue to follow all Federal and State Government health advice around effective cleaning and hygiene standards to help stop the spread of the virus. Please ensure your staff are kept informed of this health advice for their own safety and peace of mind and that of your customers. Implementing strategies, such as promotion of bag drops, queue management, physical distancing and hygiene in relation to cash handling are all ways to help minimise physical contact between your customers and staff.

Media and Branding policy and site changes

We would like to remind all operators that it is essential to advise COEX of any changes to your business operations, however small. Our website and Call Centre are receiving increased traffic from customers checking on opening times of container refund points and we want to ensure we can direct them to your site(s) as efficiently as possible. Our Media and Branding policy remains in effect during this time and we appreciate your ongoing support in forwarding any social or traditional media announcements to COEX for approval prior to being published.

We will continue to monitor all operational indicators and keep you informed as any Federal or State advice changes.

Should you have any concerns with any operational matters, please do not hesitate to contact your Contract Manager directly.

Support for businesses – Federal Government fact sheet
Support for businesses – State Government fact sheet

COEX recognises this is a challenging time for our operators and their staff. We know our scheme provides employment and income opportunities for staff and customers across the state and are closely following Federal and State Government advice around the sustainable operation of the scheme in the environment created by COVID-19.

Business support packages

Last night the Federal Government announced a second round of support measures for Australian businesses to help them maintain operations and jobs during this pandemic. Please refer to the below fact sheet for a summary of these measures and existing Queensland Government assistance that is available for small to medium enterprises, along with links for more information. Your Contract Manager will be in touch with you to ensure you understand what support packages are available to you. Whether you access these packages is of course dependent on your individual situation.

Effective cleaning 

Federal and State Government health advice indicated that effective cleaning and strict hygiene standards remain essential to help stop the spread of COVID-19. We ask operators to continue to support this priority to help us maintain the health and safety of our network. We would ask operators to ensure that their front and back of house areas comply with the Federal Government guidelines on physical distancing.

Bag drops 

We have begun to distribute our supply of branded mesh bags and scheme ID tags to help operators facilitate bag drop facilities at their sites. This will help operators and customers adopt physical distancing protocols advised by the Federal Government.

Supporting our operations 

A reminder that if you make any changes at your site, such as changing your operating hours or days, please ensure you advise your Contract Manager. This will allow us to update your site’s information on the Containers for Change website and at the Call Centre, making our customer’s experience as simple as possible.

We have still not seen a material different in container volumes through the network, however this may change with the requirement of many hospitality operations moving into shut-down as of today. We will continue to monitor all indicators closely and keep you up-to-date.

Should you have any concerns with any operational matters, please do not hesitate to contact your Contract Manager directly.

Thank you for your continued support.

Government support for businesses fact sheet

COEX is continuing to work towards our objective of maintaining a safe and effective scheme network operating for the benefit of our operators, their staff and customers. We would like to thank you for your ongoing support and feedback as we work through this uncertain time together.

We are following all advice provided by the Queensland Government and Australian Government in relation to the operation of the scheme in regard to COVID-19. This includes wearing of PPE when handling containers, maintaining high levels of personal hygiene and regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces or equipment.

We understand that there are many factors at play as we navigate the day-to-day operation of our business in an everchanging environment. If you need to adjust your operating hours for any reason during this time, please let us know in advance so we can update customer communications and avoid confusion.

Thank you again for your support and commitment to the scheme. Should you have any concerns with any operational matters, please do not hesitate to contact your Contract Manager directly.

COEX recognises the importance of the container refund scheme in providing employment and income opportunities for many Queenslanders. While ensuring we can deliver a safe and effective container refund scheme, the health and safety of our network, operators and customers continues to be our priority.

Effective cleaning

To support this priority, please refer to the Effective cleaning COVID-19 fact sheet (see below), which captures information provided by the Queensland Government and Australian Government regarding effective cleaning principles for businesses. This information will help you and your staff continue to follow good cleaning and disinfectant practices at your facilities.

Bag drops

Responding to your recent feedback, COEX will be distributing a limited number of branded mesh bags and labels free of charge for your customers. We expect the bags will be with you over the next week. This may assist many customers to either continue to return containers through bag drops or collect and store their containers at home.

Media campaign

On Friday 20 March we will launch a social media campaign to encourage customers to sign up for a scheme ID and use bag drops at container refund points across Queensland. This campaign is designed to encourage people to safely return containers and further reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission by limiting people interactions on site.

Supporting our operations

Should you make any changes at your site, such as changing your operating hours or days, please ensure you advise your Contract Manager. This will allow us to update your site’s information on the Containers for Change website and inform the Call Centre, making our customer’s experience as simple as possible.

To date, we have not seen a material difference in container volumes through the network, however we will continue to monitor all indicators closely.

Should you have any concerns with any operational matters, please do not hesitate to contact your Contract Manager directly.

Effective cleaning COVID-19 fact sheet

Thank you for taking the time yesterday to provide your Contract Manager with your valuable input and feedback. We will be working through this information so we can answer all outstanding questions and ensure our network information is up-to-date.

Our objective

Throughout this time, COEX is focussed on keeping a safe and effective container refund scheme operating. In doing so, we strive to minimise the impact on our operators, network and our customers.

Our position 

COEX and the network―including operators, processors and logistics providers―will continue to operate as usual, aligning with the current health and safety instructions provided by the Queensland and Australian Governments. We will continue to be guided by this official advice and liaise with government authorities to ensure you are provided with any updates to this official advice as it comes to hand.

COEX recognises that you are individual business operators and you need to make decisions based on your own circumstances. Contract Managers will continue to liaise with you to ensure you are supported during this time.

Queensland Health guidelines on waste handling (as at 18 March 2020)

Specific guidance for waste handling industries has been provided by Queensland Health, which can be found here.

Refer to the Waste handling COVID-19 fact sheet below for a summary on this information as it relates to our network. The fact sheet highlights the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and good hygiene, which you are already practising. COEX is trying to source extra supplies of PPE products and material to help those who are struggling to source these products. If this is you, please let your Contract Manager know.

Bag drops

COEX is developing a campaign to promote bag drops and scheme ID sign ups, which will include social media, radio and email advertising, as well as social tiles for your use so you can promote amongst your network.

In the meantime, see below two posters for your use. They promote the bag drop and scheme ID sign up process. Please print and post these near your bag drop service and share with your networks.

COEX will also be sending reusable bags to depots for operators to distribute to customers. Keep in mind, these free bags for operators and the general public are a limited supply.

We’ll continue to update you on COVID-19’s impact on the scheme, however, if you have any questions, concerns or require additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Contract Manager.

Waste handling COVID-19 fact sheet
Containers for Change bag drop (how to) poster 1
Containers for Change bag drop (how to) poster 2

Further to our advice on Friday 13 March, COEX is working through a number of activities to enable customers to continue to return containers and so that container refund point operators can continue to process payments during the current circumstances.

Scheme ID and bag drop campaign update

COEX is developing a significant marketing and public relations campaign to:

• promote scheme ID use and sign up through channels with new assets including digital (Facebook etc.)
• distribute mesh bags throughout the network for customers to use at bag drops
• educate customers on how to use bag drops, at a depot (no waiting for cash etc.)

Contract Manager support

To support the scheme ID and bag drop campaign, your COEX Contract Manager will be contacting you in the next few days to understand your needs and requirements to support this initiative and other ideas you may have. In addition, we will be providing information on the State and Federal Government assistance packages for those operators who may require assistance in accessing these initiatives.

Please see the below links for the Department of Health posters to ensure operators and customers are aware of the hygiene precautions that are in place to minimise the risk of transmission.

Should you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your Contract Manager directly.

Have you recently travelled overseas? poster
Simple steps to help stop the spread poster
Good hygiene is in your hands poster

Please see below health and business information, which may be useful for your customers, employees and businesses.

Network planning activity

COEX continues to review and refine our contingency plans to ensure that the network and the scheme continues to operate should there be an escalation in business impacts and restrictions as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Further information will be shared with operators as it comes to hand.

Health information

For the latest updates regarding COVID-19 prevention, symptoms and resources, please visit the Queensland Government and Australian Government websites for the most relevant information for your business and workforce.

You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 or 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

Business information

For the latest information on what you need to know as a small or medium business and employer please visit:

• Coronavirus payroll tax relief 
• Immediate Industry Recovery Package.

Our highest priority will always be the safety, health and wellbeing of our people, operators and communities. COEX and the Containers for Change scheme remains fully operational and we will continue to keep you up-to-date with information and resources as they become available.

COEX is providing this Queensland Health information to ensure that our operators are aware of best-practice hand and respiratory hygiene practices, which can reduce the likelihood of illness. These illnesses may range from the common cold to more severe diseased, such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses of which the new strain, novel coronavirus has not been previously identified in humans*.

The common symptoms of the novel coronavirus include:

• fever
• respiratory-illness symptoms such as a cough
• fatigue
• breathing difficulties.

To protect yourself and others from all common cold and virus infections, it is recommended that all operators, contractors and staff practice good hand and respiratory hygiene including:

• cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs
• covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing
• avoiding contact with anyone who has respiratory symptoms.

Novel coronavirus is transmitted from person to person, usually when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Based on current advice face masks need only be worn by people who have returned from mainland China and are unwell. People who are unwell should avoid public places, in particular work, school, childcare or university.

For further information on novel coronavirus you can call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 or 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

*Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert web page