Lois Maskiell

Tougher public health rules affecting workers in Sydney’s 12 hotspot suburbs are coming into effect this weekend, including vaccination, testing and permit requirements.

Communities in the Newcastle and Hunter regions in New South Wales are feeling the effects of a COVID-19 outbreak linked to a Costco warehouse, after six workers tested positive and 1,300 people were identified as contacts.

The federal government is expanding its SME Recovery Loan Scheme, removing requirements for businesses to have received JobKeeper this year or to have been affected by flooding.

Employers that enforce a vaccination mandate in the workplace will be able to request the vaccination status of candidates on job ads, one employment lawyer says.

Parcel delivery volumes are surging to heights not seen since Christmas last year, leading small businesses to increase their communications with suppliers and customers to avoid lengthy shipping times.

Hairdressers are calling on the NSW government to undertake an industry-wide vaccination blitz ahead of any plan to reopen salons to vaccinated customers in low-risk suburbs.

Accountants are facing a catch-22 as small businesses ask them to issue so-called accountant letters for COVID-19 grant applications free of charge.

Accounting groups are meeting with state governments to iron out the issues affecting coronavirus business support payments amid growing frustration among their members.

The global pandemic has destroyed jobs and dried up entire sectors but it has also boosted others, enriching the profits of large retailers such as Maggie Beer Holdings and Super Retail Group.

The hospitality industry is calling on the New South Wales government to allow restaurants, cafes and pubs to reopen to vaccinated diners ahead of the state reaching a 70% vaccination rate target.

Accountants helping small businesses apply for coronavirus support payments say new grant schemes are confusing, with guidelines regularly changing and the requirement of an accountant’s letter sparking concern.

Aussie social media startup Linktree has acquired Odesli, moving ahead in its strategy to provide a “one-stop shop” to musicians seeking to monetise their art.