With the current rate of COVID-19 hospitalisations and cases, a number of important but proportionate changes will be introduced by the Victorian Government to further protect hight-risk health care and hospitality settings — and key workforces — from the risk of outbreaks and super-spreader events.
The pandemic order will apply to healthcare, aged care, disability, emergency services, correctional facility and quarantine accommodation staff. Workplaces must sight and record proof of vaccination.
That will also include essential food supplies, workers in the manufacturing, distribution or packaging of food and beverages including retail supermarket workers.
Workers eligible for a third dose on or before Wednesday, January 12, will have until Saturday, February 12, to get their vital third dose. Workers not yet eligible for a third dose will be required to get it within three months and two weeks of the deadline to receive their second mandatory dose.
This means residential aged care workers must receive their third dose by March 1, and health care workers by March 29. Disability, quarantine accommodation, correctional facilities, emergency services, and food distribution workers will need to receive their third dose by March 12.
Food distribution workers include manufacturing, warehousing and transport (freight/port) workers involved in food distribution. Retail supermarket staff are not included in the mandate.
Victorians in these priority cohorts were among the first required to have their first and second dose vaccination during 2021. The mandatory vaccination requirement will not apply to workers who have a valid medical exemption.
This order responds to the increased risks of COVID-19 exposure to critical workers, their proximity to vulnerable people, the higher risk of the virus spreading in their workplace and the need to protect access to essential goods and services.
All Victorians continue to be encouraged to get their third dose as soon as they become eligible and we’ll continue working with public health experts and industry on vaccination requirements.
As a sensible step to reduce the risks of the virus spreading, indoor dancefloors within hospitality and entertainment venues must close from 11.59pm on January 12. Venues can still operate and there are no changes to the density settings currently in place.
This change reflects settings already in place in other states, including New South Wales. Indoor dancefloors at weddings will be permitted, but wedding hosts and guests should still consider the risks of dancefloors and choose to locate them outdoors if possible.
The strong recommendations that people work from home if they are able and that patrons in hospitality and entertainment venues opt for seated service will continue. It is recommended that people visiting these venues who can access Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) should use them before attending.
