Covid restrictions to ease from Friday
Restrictions to ease as hospitalisation numbers and community transmission continues to fall.
The state government said Covid restrictions will ease from 6pm tomorrow (Friday) as hospitalisation numbers and community transmission continues to fall.
With more than half of Victorians aged over 16 now vaccinated with three doses, a number of the restrictions and recommendations in place during the state’s Omicron surge will be wound back.
Density quotients of one person per two square meters in place at hospitality and entertainment venues will be removed. Indoor dancefloors at these venues can also re-open.
QR code check-in requirements will no longer be in place at retail venues, schools (including childcare and early childhood) and for employees at many workplaces.
QR code check-in and vaccination check requirements will remain in settings such as hospitality and entertainment venues.
Currently, key industries including meat processing observe mandatory surveillance testing requirements. These mandates will be become recommended-only, reflecting declining community transmission.
Requirements for hospital worker ‘bubbles’ will also be removed, but health services may still implement them at their discretion.
International arrivals no longer need an international arrivals permit and 14-day hotel quarantine for international visitors and aircrew who aren’t fully vaccinated or are medically exempt will reduce to seven days.
The health minister will consider changes to other settings next week, including office-based settings and if the work from home recommendation can be removed. He will also consider face mask requirements in offices for those who are triple vaccinated.
Schools
However CovidSafe measures will be extended in schools until the end of Term 1.
Initially set to run for the first four weeks, the measures, including rapid antigen testing, will continue. The government said it will also double the number of air purifiers in schools.
An extra 24 million RATs will be distributed to schools and early childhood services to allow testing to continue throughout Term 1.
Twice weekly tests are commended for all primary and secondary school students and staff, and early childhood staff and children aged 3 to 5. Students and staff at specialists schools are recommended to test five days a week.
Further details on the new restrictions coming into place this week will be published online at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au from 6pm on February 18.
