Two island trials underway
The North Pier in Cowes, and the Churchill Island café are two of 15 businesses taking part, across six regional shires.
Two Phillip Island venues are part of a vaccine “passport” trial in regional Victoria, which started this week.
The North Pier in Cowes, and the Churchill Island café are two of 15 businesses taking part, across six different Victorian shires.
Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale said: “The Vaccination Economy trials will confirm the best processes for establishing vaccination status – appropriate training and support for staff and owners and public communication of vaccine requirements are other important aspects.”
Ms Crugnale said staff from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions will work with the two businesses to ensure workers are informed and supported during the trials.
“Dedicated support officers will be on the ground at each location,” she said.
The state government said the Vaccinated Economy trials will allow more people to safely attend venues and events, where all patrons are fully vaccinated.
The regional trial will operate under the 70 per cent double dose settings in the state’s roadmap, and also includes cinemas, hotels, a gym, galleries, real estate agents, a church and a beauty clinic.
The government said the trials would allow real-world testing of the vaccine certification technology, confirm the best processes for establishing vaccination status, as well as fine-tuning training for staff and support for business owners.
Anyone attending a Vaccinated Economy trial business or event will be asked to show they are fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 digital certificate displayed through the Service Victoria app, Medicare app, or equivalent smartphone wallet, or present a printed version of their certificate or immunisation history statement, or provide evidence of a valid exemption.
You can add your COVID-19 digital certificate to the Service Victoria app through MyGov or the Express Medicare Plus App.
The government said regional trials over the next two weeks will guide the second phase of trials for 80 per cent double-dose settings.
Other businesses taking part in the regional trial include the Terminus Hotel in Wycheproof, the East Gippsland Art Gallery in Bairnsdale, Lakes Squash and Movie Theatre in Lakes Entrance, Wilson Property in Traralgon, Anglican Church Flora Hill, Bendigo Art Gallery, Village cinemas and Body Fit training in Bendigo, Avoca Hotel, and Darlings of Beauty, Roberts One Real Estate, and the Racing Club and Art Gallery in Warrnambool.
The government also announced there will be trial events in Melbourne in the coming weeks, including at the Melbourne Cup and concerts at the Myer Music Bowl.
Struggle
Back in August, Kimberley Brown, the manager at North Pier told the Advertiser her staff were struggling with policing the constantly changing Covid restrictions.
She said the issues were having an impact on staff and having to ask for proof of identity and ensure people complied with Covid restrictions was “weighing heavily on people’s mental health”.
“Asking patrons for ID has shifted another layer of responsibility to my staff, who are used to asking people for ID for over 18 service, but are not used to debating/arguing and being abused by people who are unable to enter the venue, because their licence says Altona, or some other Metro suburb, despite their convincing explanation of them living on the island for six months,” Kimberley said.
In the past, she said staff had been abused by customers who refused to wear a mask and at times security guards had to step in when arguments became heated.
