Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews announced a new roadmap to free the state from lockdowns and restrictions.
As Victoria reaches 70 per cent and 80 per cent double dose vaccination targets, the Roadmap lists certain venues for opening – but only on the condition that all eligible attendees to the venue are vaccinated.
When Victoria reaches 70 per cent double dose vaccination, changes will include an increase in numbers for public gatherings outdoors, funerals, weddings and religious gatherings – with larger caps for people who are fully vaccinated.
Creative studios, amusement parks, entertainment venues and hospitality will also reopen with patron cap and density limits but only to people who are fully vaccinated.
There is very little precedence in Australia for fully vaccinated events, which is why the Government will conduct trials to support businesses as much as possible in the lead up to transitioning to a ‘vaccinated economy’ in this state, and ensure we have the right systems in place.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the government is prepared to review the reopening plan as case numbers change.
“I want to make it very clear to all Victorians, particularly to those working in our health system, as we deliver this roadmap, we will monitor every hour of every day how many people are in hospital and how much pressure is on our health system,”
he said.
Both one-off events and specific venues will be considered – with businesses permitted to operate with higher patron caps if all staff and patrons provide evidence of full vaccination. Areas in regional Victoria with the highest vaccination rates and no COVID-19 cases will be the first to be considered for these trials.
Proof of vaccination options will also be part of the trials.
The Service Victoria app will be integrated with a Medicare Certificate that shows proof of vaccination and other proof of vaccination options may also be trialled to determine what works best for both businesses and patrons.
Another key part of the Roadmap is when Victoria hits 70 per cent double dose vaccination, getting more activities outside is a key part of keeping the community safe and slowing case numbers.
The government will be looking to provide additional funding to councils and businesses to get even more activities outside and more details will be released about this soon.
For the final phase of the Roadmap, Premier Andrews says, he will wait for more details to be developed as part of the National Plan as the community moves beyond 80 per cent double dose vaccination rates.
As Christmas comes closer government is working towards having 30 visitors to the home by late December – and with travel across both interstate and international borders open again, many families will be able to reunite.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer will assess vaccination requirements for all authorised workers in Victoria. These requirements and potential deadlines will be assessed progressively as the Chief Health Officer considers each sector. There are already vaccine requirements for aged care, construction, and freight workforces.
Following the recommendation from AHPPC to National Cabinet, Premier Andrews confirmed that healthcare workers will be the next workforce to have vaccination become a requirement to work.
“Healthcare workers will need to have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 15 October or provide evidence that they have an appointment to be vaccinated before 1 November to continue working.”
The next workforce group prioritised for assessment will be school staff and childcare staff. We will also have more to say soon about Victoria Police and disability worker vaccinations requirements.
For more information on Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.