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What are the duties and responsibilities of a Covid Marshal ?
A Covid Marshal will –
Are Covid Marshals required to do any training ?
Yes, training is available at www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/recovery/covid-marshals
Can any staff member be a Covid Marshal ?
Yes, any staff member can be a Covid Marshal, however consideration should be given as to the function of the Covid Marshall, for example will the Marshal be asking patrons to sit down, or stop dancing etc
Can Security Personnel be a Covid Marshal ?
Security Personnel can also be Covid Marshal’s, however Licensees must be mindful of the Covid Marshal responsibilities. For example a Security Person is often posted to a certain areas (main entrance), therefore they may not be able to check patrons are social distancing, or patrons are not dancing etc in other parts of the premises.
Should a Responsible Person be the Covid Marshal ?
A Responsible Person can be a Covid Marshal, and in most cases it makes sense for the RP on duty to be the Covid Marshall, but what happens if the venue reaches 200 capacity, the Responsible person is now wholly performing the duties of the Covid Marshall. Who is supervising the selling / serving and supply of liquor within the premises ? Licensees should have a plan in place that another staff member, or another Responsible Peron, takeover as the Covid Marshall, or there is more than one Responsible Person on duty.
Do I have to pay staff at a higher rate for being a Covid Marshal ?
There is no requirement that a staff member be paid at a higher rate of pay in order to perform the duties of a COVID Marshal.
The duties of a Covid Marshal are not prescribed in the Modern Awards (e.g. HIGA) or under a Collective/Enterprise Agreement.
Where a Covid Marshal is performing their normal duties in addition to their Covid Marshal duties (i.e. venue does not have 200 or more patrons on premise), they will need to be paid according to the appropriate classification level in the relevant Award or Collective/Enterprise Agreement based on their normal duties performed. For example if they are normally paid as a food and beverage attendant level 3, then that is the applicable rate that they should be paid when performing the additional Covid Marshal duties.
For a dedicated Covid Marshal (i.e. venue has 200 or more patrons on premise), we recommend that they be paid according to the normal classification level that they are paid under the applicable Modern Award or Collective/Enterprise Agreement. It is important to bare in mind that under the AHA|SA/United Voice Collective Agreement there is a requirement that any employee that is appointed as a Responsible Person pursuant to the Liquor Licensing Act 1997 and is appointed by the employer to act in the capacity of a Responsible Person, is required to be paid at the Food and Beverage Supervisor Level 5 rate of pay for the time they are acting in the capacity of a Responsible Person.
Can I have several Marshals on duty at any one time ?
If you are a large venue, with many areas / bars, and the potential to have large capacities (over 200), it is recommended to have more than one Covid Marshal on shift.
A Covid Marshal has to be clearly identifiable. What does that mean ?
Do not make it too hard for SAPOL or an Inspector to see or find your Covid Marshal. Make it as obvious as possible who the Covid Marshall is in your premises, not just in case you are audited, but to also display to your patrons you are adhering to the requirements.
What if staff refuse to wear the identifiable vest / clothing / lanyard / badge etc ?
It would be expected staff who are asked to do the training, and be a Covid Marshall, are staff already in some higher roles / positions, or who have regular work within the premises. If staff refuse to wear the identifiable clothing etc then they cannot be a Covid Marshal.
What if patrons don’t listen to the Covid Marshal’s request to sit down / stop dancing / or move away from other unknown patrons ?
If the Covid Marshall is a Responsible Person, they have the ability under the Liquor Licensing Act 1997 to ask the patron to leave. Staff should involve the Manager on duty of the premises, who may then advise the patron they can be asked to leave, or that SAPOL may be called to attend. Check your policy on asking patrons to leave in the Liquor Management plan.
When are we required to have a dedicated Covid Marshal ?
If less than 200 persons are present or are reasonable expected to be at / in your venue, the Covid Marshal may be performing a dual function, for example bar duties and marshalling.
Of more than 200 persons are present or are reasonable expected to be present at the venue, then you must have a dedicated Covid Marshal for at least the period of time that 200 or more patrons are in attendance.
Can I have a policy that all patrons are to remain seated at all times, irrespective of whether they’re not consuming food or beverages ?
A venue can request all patrons to remain seated at all times, displayed signage will assist staff and patrons to be aware of your policy.
