Restrictions have been eased across the State, with mandatory vaccination requirements removed for all retail customers, except for hair and beauty services.
Minister for Health, Martin Foley signed the pandemic orders under the new Public Health and Wellbeing Act, which came into effect at 11.59pm on 15 December and are expected to be in place until 12 January.
Mr Foley said the mandatory vaccination requirement had also been removed for real estate, places of worship, weddings and funerals, but mask settings in retail remained unchanged.
He said the orders were signed after considering advice from the Chief Health Officer (CHO) that there continued to be a serious risk to public health from the global pandemic and that restrictions were still necessary to protect Victorians and the healthcare system.
“In particular, the CHO has highlighted the need to gather more information about the Omicron variant of concern before considering further changes to protective measures – such as mask requirements,” Mr Foley said.
“As part of the orders, people under 18 will no longer be required to show proof of their vaccination status at all venues, such as hospitality,” he said.
“Under the pandemic orders, restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs are still only open to fully-vaccinated patrons and staff.
“Workers are required to wear masks.”
Mr Foley said face masks no longer needed to be worn at weddings, funerals or ceremonial settings and if those events were held at places of worship there would not be any vaccination requirements or limits on participants, but if the ceremony was in a hospitality setting, vaccine requirements would apply.
The Minister said workplaces exposed to a positive COVID-19 case would no longer need to be deep cleaned due to mounting international evidence that the virus is an airborne or droplet-borne disease and the likelihood of becoming infected by touching a surface was very low risk.
“In addition, tour and transport operators, gyms and creative arts premises such as theatres and cinemas will not need to clean equipment between uses,” he said.
“Workplaces will still need to maintain CovidSafe plans.”
Mr Foley said elective surgery rules had also been updated, with rural and regional health services able to resume up to 75 per cent of normal elective surgery activity.
Further information on current COVID-19 restrictions can be accessed at this PS News link.
