Spring 2021 - Plan Ahead for when Sydney reopens for business

It's 1 September 2021 - the first day of Spring. If you've been paying attention to the news, you'd know that the NSW Government has been hinting at a move towards lifting the current restrictions and allowing businesses to reopen. For all our clients who have been waiting patiently, thank you.

As soon as the restrictions have been lifted, we plan to reopen with revised processes and procedures to align ourselves with a post-vaccination society. This means, subject to government announcements or directions regarding the requirement for vaccinations, we'll be ensuring that all of our staff who are present in our office have been fully vaccinated and all clients who must visit our office are also fully vaccinated.

What's so important about vaccination?

The lack of immunity and the associated fear is largely what's driven the pandemic panic in Australia. Unlike what people have experienced overseas, we haven't had mass infections or deaths as a result of the coronavirus. Perhaps that's why there have been pockets of ambivalence within our community, much to our own risk. Despite the relatively low numbers in Australia, taking these steps (any or all of these steps) to prevent the global pandemic from becoming a true Australian epidemic is necessary.

We're sure that for all the people who have passed away due to COVID-19 all over the world, especially pre-vaccination, they had no chance or choice. In that sense, we're fortunate that there's now a vaccine available and if those people had a choice, do you think they would have taken it knowing that the alternative was almost certain death? Sadly, we know people who have died from the coronavirus and many of our clients (especially with family in India) have suffered the loss of a loved one from it as well. Perhaps if you know someone, it also puts it into context for you to make your own decision about vaccination.

Let's be clear though, this position certainly doesn't make us "pro-vax" and we certainly wouldn't be labeling anyone who disagrees as "anti-vax". Right now, we're just assessing the current situation for what it is with a view to formulating a clear position and a path to move forward. That's how we can best help everyone else around us make their own decision and plan ahead as well.

Doing our bit

We acknowledge that vaccination doesn't actually mean immunity, but it does give the community a fighting chance against infection or possibly spreading it. Of course, being fully vaccinated doesn't stop us from following other practices like social distancing, wearing masks, or disinfecting the office - it just helps.

Our office policy to ensure that all of our staff have been fully vaccinated is not only in their best interest, but yours too - and it doesn't just end there. It protects us and our family, them and their family, and you and your family or anyone who just so happens to come into contact with any of us along the way. The last thing we would want is for your visit to our office to have long-lasting serious health consequences for anyone.

Of course, if you choose not to vaccinate, that's your own decision as well and we don't specifically have a problem with that either - that's your own choice. It just means that with the way things are going, we might not be able to help you if the services that you need also require you to be physically present in our office. That's not just for your own safety, but also for our own and our staff (and all our families etc - anyway, you get the point). If the services that you need don't require you to be physically present in our office, then it doesn't really matter whether you're vaccinated or not. Many of our services can still be done online, as we've pointed out several times in this blog. Services such as certifying or verifying and certifying certain documents can still happen without you coming to the office, but if you need us to witness you sign a document or you need us to verify your identity, then this would require you to be physically present in our office and therefore, vaccinated.

Get ready

So while it hasn't been confirmed as yet and as mentioned we're waiting on the next round of state and federal government announcements on the matter, we're just asking everyone who plans on visiting us for notary public services once the restrictions have been lifted, to prepare themselves accordingly. As you may know, the vaccination process from the first dose to the second dose does take a few weeks and so it would be necessary to plan that in advance to ensure that you're fully vaccinated by the time Sydney is open for business. Even if the government (or we) do not impose mandatory vaccination, isn't it in your best interest anyway? Just something to consider.

No face-to-face appointments until the restrictions have been lifted

Like everyone else, we're also affected by the restrictions that have been imposed across Sydney. Since the end of June, we have suspended a large portion of our notary public services that require face-to-face appointments. We know it's an inconvenience to many of our clients, especially those who have urgent matters that require documents to be signed, witnessed, and notarised - but we don't make this decision lightly as it also comes at a substantial financial cost to us.

While we appreciate the continued interest and support from people enquiring with our office for assistance, we are also saddened and disappointed at the level of anger and argument that has been directed at us for complying with the current restrictions and 'stay-at-home' orders. To those people, just because we can't help you right now, we're not the cause of your problem or the reason for your predicament. Stop blaming us.

Many clients continue to benefit from our service IF they don't require face-to-face appointments. In those cases, they've accepted our offer to arrange for couriers to collect and deliver their important documents. However, for everyone else especially those who need face-to-face appointments, we apologise. We cannot assist you until the restrictions have been lifted.

The current restrictions are difficult for everyone. We understand. We also ask for understanding in return.

Surviving the lockdown when you need to get things done

Thank you to everyone who has asked about our notary public services. We appreciate your interest and consideration, however as we would have mentioned to you over the phone or by reply email - our office remains closed to the public while the current restrictions and 'stay at home' orders are in place. Stay tuned to government announcements in case the restrictions are extended.

Of course, we understand that some people have very urgent matters that they need to attend to overseas and that delays can be costly. We wish we could help. Our notary public services rely heavily on face-to-face appointments and so the current situation is not ideal for us either.

We will continue to review this situation as it unfolds and in light of government announcements. Further updates will be announced in due course.

COVID-19 Update - Restrictions in Sydney

Due to the NSW Government announcement and 'stay at home' orders, our office will be closing for face-to-face notary public services until further notice (until restrictions have been lifted).

This means we are unable to assist you if you need to have your signature witnessed or your identity verified (as this requires you to be physically present in our office).

If you have documents that must be certified (ie, copies of passports), we can still assist provided you are able to arrange to have your original passport delivered to our office for certification. Our office will not be receiving documents personally from any individual and so original documents must be slipped under our office door or delivered to us by courier (preferably not by post). 

If you have electronic documents that must be attested (ie, VEVO, employment documents, education documents), you can arrange for these documents to be sent to us directly by the issuing organisation for attestation. 

All documents (ie, notarised documents and originals documents, if any) will only be returned to you by same-day courier unless you wish to wait until the restrictions have been lifted in order to collect them from our office.

Please be aware that we are not considered an essential service and therefore if you insist on visiting our office, you risk a fine for breaching existing orders and we will not receive you at our office.

We reopen on 11 May 2020

With easing restrictions and the apparent low rate of community transmission, we have decided to reopen for notary public services (including face-to-face meetings) from 11 May 2020. Please be aware that social distancing principles according to NSW Health guidelines will still apply. We have also implemented our own protocols for your health and safety as well as the health and safety of others.

Please make an appointment before visiting our office.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.