Bass Coast in vaccination “passport” trial
As the trial will be restricted to 20 businesses across the six regions, it’s unclear how many Bass Coast businesses could end up taking part.
The state government will trial a form of vaccination "passport”, as it seeks to gradually reopen the state.
Bass Coast is one of six regional areas invited to take part.
It is anticipated that the trials, scheduled to start from October 11, 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 on-site confirmed as being fully vaccinated.
As the trial will be restricted to 20 businesses across the six regions, it’s unclear how many Bass Coast businesses could end up taking part.
Training for staff, supports for business owners, and public communication of vaccine requirements will also be part of the trials. Support officers will be in place on the ground to ensure trials run smoothly and participating businesses receive the assistance they need.
Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale welcomed the news that Bass Coast would be part of the trial.
“Regional communities will play a critical role in delivering Victoria’s roadmap to reopening through these vaccine certificate trials, and it’s fantastic that our Bass Coast stands to be involved,” she said.
“These trials will support our local businesses and community organisations to open with the appropriate systems in place as we move toward a vaccinated economy and more freedoms.”
Roadmap
Regional areas with high vaccination rates and low or no COVID-19 cases are being considered for the trials.
As of September 25, Bass Coast had a double-dose vaccination rate of 58.57 per cent and a single dose rate of 88.75 per cent – against state averages of 46 and 77 per cent respectively.
The other council areas invited to take part are East Gippsland, Warrnambool, Greater Bendigo, Pyrenees and Buloke. The government will work with local councils and industry bodies to help identify suitable businesses and events for the trials.
Kim Storey from Destination Phillip Island said several local businesses had already indicated interest in being part of the trial.
Louise Staley, the Shadow Minister for Regional Recovery called for all regional businesses to be included.
“Regional businesses and events are keen to start the Covid-recovery phase so the government must allow all businesses within the trial areas to participate rather than exclude any without justification,” she said.
However, not everyone agrees, with one local business owner urging businesses to get legal advice before taking part, saying they could face discrimination lawsuits.
The government said the trials will confirm the best processes for establishing vaccination status, with work underway on how Commonwealth vaccination data can be best integrated with the Service Victoria app.
Victoria is expected to reach 70 per cent full vaccination on October 26, when many greater freedoms are linked to vaccination.
Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan plots progressively greater patron numbers in many settings including outdoor gatherings, funerals, weddings, religious gatherings and entertainment and hospitality venues as the state reaches 70 per cent, and then 80 per cent vaccination – where all patrons must be fully vaccinated.
In regional cafes and restaurants, the patron cap increases from 10 people to 30 people for indoor spaces, and to 100 people for outdoor spaces, at 70 per cent vaccination, on the basis that all patrons are vaccinated. Without confirmation of vaccination status, there is no change to existing settings.
