Regional areas with a high proportion of residents vaccinated against COVID-19 are to test the systems and supports necessary for the State to ease lockdown restrictions.
Premier, Daniel Andrews said up to 20 ‘vaccinated economy’ trials would confirm the best processes for establishing vaccination status in the fortnight before Victoria was expected to hit the milestone of 70 per cent of eligible people fully vaccinated (26 October).
“Scheduled to start from 11 October, it is anticipated the trials will cover hospitality, hairdressing, beauty services and tourism businesses, and events such as race meetings, community celebrations and concerts – allowing higher patron numbers with all attendees confirmed as being fully vaccinated,” Mr Andrews said.
“As regional areas with high vaccination rates and low or no COVID-19 cases the Bass Coast, Greater Bendigo, Pyrenees, Warrnambool, Buloke and East Gippsland municipalities will be the first invited to participate in the trials,” he said.
“Government will work with local Councils and industry bodies to help identify suitable businesses and events for the important fact-finding exercises.”
Mr Andrews said work was underway on how Commonwealth vaccination data could be integrated with the Service Victoria app.
The Premier said pending the outcomes of the first phase, a second phase of trials using the 80 per cent double dose settings would be held prior to Victoria passing that threshold.
“These trials will be used to hold larger events in metropolitan Melbourne to test the systems and technologies with larger crowd sizes,” he said.
“Training for staff, supports for business owners and public communication of vaccine requirements will also be part of the trials.”
Mr Andrews said support officers would be deployed to ensure the trials ran smoothly and participating businesses received the assistance they needed.
He said the progress of the trials would be subject to health advice.
