Given the current rate of COVID-19 hospitalisations and cases, the Victorian Government has announced a number of changes to the pandemic orders in effect from 11:59pm on Wednesday 12 January, to protect our key workforces from the risk of outbreaks and super-spreader events.
Third dose requirements for workers in key sectors
Workers in key sectors who are already required to be fully vaccinated must get their third dose before being permitted to work onsite. This applies to workers in healthcare, aged care, disability services, emergency services, correctional facilities, quarantine accommodation and food distribution.
Workers eligible for a third dose on or before Wednesday 12 January will have until Saturday 12 February to get their third dose.
Isolation requirements for workers in key sectors
Workers in the manufacturing, distribution or packaging of food and beverages, including retail supermarket workers, may be exempted from isolation requirements in order to attend work, if it is necessary for continuity of operations and other options have been exhausted.
Exempted workers must be asymptomatic, undertake rapid antigen tests for five days and return a negative result prior to attending work. They can’t enter shared break areas, and employers are asked to facilitate solo break time.
Work and study from home, if you can
The strong recommendation to work and study from home (for adult education) if you can, will continue.
