Dear Industry Colleagues,

One thing I’m learning with this roadmap and reopening is that things are moving faster than expected with the Vaccinated Economy Trials still progressing amid an earlier than expected opening. This means there is a bit of catch up happening with not all our questions having an answer. I share your frustration and continue to have discussions with Government to seek clarification, answers and a dedicated session with us.

Thank you for your responses to the industry survey we sent out last Friday. This is really useful information. There is plenty of concern out there particularly with what the vaccinated economy will look like, authorised workers and the impost on business operations and the workforce.

Businesses are now being urged to review their employee vaccination requirements against Victoria’s Roadmap: Delivering the National Plan.

The Roadmap provides for a progressive reopening with increased capacity limits across various settings when all attendees are fully vaccinated. This includes workers.

The option of increased capacity limits will only apply if everyone present is fully vaccinated (or has a valid medical exemption).

This means if your staff are not fully vaccinated, you may not be able to apply the increased capacity limits offered in the Roadmap.

The Chief Health Officer has also issued vaccination requirements for many workers that must leave home to work on-site. Workers who are covered by this requirement but have not had a first and second dose by the deadlines set by the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions will not be able to attend workplaces outside their home.

We have yet to have any clarity on staff working in the accommodation sector in terms of being fully vaccinated. I’d expect an announcement on this could happen this week. As soon as we hear, we will update you.

Until then, I’II keep advocating for our concerns and questions to be addressed. This update is correct as of the morning of October 20, 2021.

For more information on the Roadmap and industry restrictions visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

Take care

Paul and the DMT team

Acting CEO