The Victorian government will remove hospitality density limits, retail and workplace QR check-ins, but will still keep indoor mask requirements in place as the state begins to relax COVID-19 restrictions.
Premier Daniel Andrews said Victoria would start moving “back to normal” in the coming weeks as the state witnessed a downward trend in the Omicron outbreak.
“Some time ago, we made it very clear that we would do everything we could to normalise this virus,” he told reporters on Feb. 17.
“This is exactly what we said we would do, we would have rules on for not a moment longer than they were needed.”
Under new pandemic regulations, from 6 p.m. on Feb. 18, the density limit of one person per two square meters in hospitality and recreation venues will conclude.
People going to retail locations, schools, and workplaces will no longer need to scan QR codes; however, the practice will still apply to hospitality and entertainment customers to make sure they are double-dose vaccinated.
In addition, the state government has replaced a mandate requiring essential industries, including meat processing, to conduct surveillance testing relaxing it to just a recommendation for the industry.
It also removes requirements for hospital worker bubbles, frees up international arrivals from the hassle of obtaining a permit, and slashes hotel quarantine duration for unvaccinated international travellers to seven days.
On the other hand, schools will continue to carry out twice-weekly surveillance testing for students and staff as authorities are going to distribute another 24 million rapid antigen tests.
Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said the education department would distribute another 60,000 air purifiers to government and low fee non-government schools by June 1. At the same time, it will provide eligible early childhood services with another $3.8 million (US$2.8 million) in grants to improve ventilation.
Nevertheless, the indoor mask mandate will stay put until at least Feb. 25 as Health Minister Martin Foley will be assessing if it is viable to lift mask requirements in workplaces.
He will also consider whether the government can relax the recommendation for Victorians to work from home.
“The public health advice is pretty clear, that we just need the next few days to see this trend stabilise and continue,” Foley told reporters.
“I’m confident that with further data, further consultations over coming weeks, we can put in place arrangements that will stick.”
The state government is going to meet with industry leaders on Feb. 18 to discuss a possible approach for the public and private sectors to return to the office.
According to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra, Melbourne CBD businesses were eagerly looking forward to the return of office workers.
He called for urgent removal of the work from home recommendation and office mask requirements, plus a voucher stimulus scheme for CBD businesses.
State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy condemned the government for intending to wait another week before announcing further changes.
“Get rid of those mask requirements, particularly in office settings. Do it today,” he said.
