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Dear Industry colleagues,

For those that missed the VTIC webinar this morning, it was very informative on the lessons learnt so far from the Vaccinated Economy Trials. We heard from the Project Director and some of the operators involved. The trial will conclude at midnight tonight when the whole State moves into Phase B settings.

Some quick take outs from the operators involved in the trial:

• They established a pre-check in area ahead of the main entrance that displayed information on what certification is needed and how to download etc so patrons who are not prepared can get prepared without holding up the main entrance.
• Some had set up separate ‘fast-track” entrance points for people who have Service Vic QR code certification.
• They ensured appropriate information on certification requirements was clearly advised at time of booking and on-line.
• Some customers were not happy with the rules. The businesses referred these customers to the mandated requirements from government and should the customer want to escalate, go to www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call the 1800 675 398 hotline. It was made clear these were not the business rules but the Government under the Public Health Order. Both businesses and unvaccinated patrons face fines for not complying.
• For customers that left a negative review based on the rules, the businesses had these removed. A resource for doing this was shared during the webinar. Click here.

This was a good session with many concerns addressed however there are still questions that have gone to other parts of government to answer. One interesting discussion point was the additional cost in staff resourcing for the new process. There was a suggestion to introduce a Covid-19 surcharge should this be an issue. Most customers involved in the trial were reported as very positive and accommodating.

Stakeholder Support Pack

Today we received a stakeholder reopening pack from government. You can access the pack by clicking here. This stakeholder pack incorporates customisable content and downloadable artwork including:

• posters
• support guides
• social media content
• suggested website and newsletter content
• booking confirmation email and SMS text for businesses.

As the state hits double dose vaccination thresholds on the Roadmap, you need to do everything you can to keep your business, workers and community safe. I encourage you to download the pack and access updated posters and signage to remind your workers and customers of what they need to do to be COVIDSafe. Visit the Coronavirus website to download the latest signage and translated information about COVID-19.

COVID-19 digital certificate: Check for the green tick

Victorians will now be required to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination to enter a variety of businesses and to receive certain services across Victoria.

Businesses must ensure customers have checked-in correctly and verify their customers’ vaccination status.  To do this, if the customer has correctly uploaded their COVID-19 Digital Certificate to their Service Victoria app, you will be able to see their vaccination status together with their check-in details. A confirmed check-in via the QR code will continue to display a green tick.

Customers who either don’t have a smart phone, or need help to check-in and prove their vaccination status, can do so by presenting an official hardcopy of their vaccination certificate together with the Victorian Government QR Code Service Kiosk check-in option.

Visit the Coronavirus website for more information about this new requirement for businesses.

QR Codes: Check in everywhere, every time

Checking in is still important and is required everywhere, every time. Businesses, venues and facilities with electronic record keeping requirements must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service to check-in customers, workers and visitors.

Watch this short video to make sure your QR Code posters are displayed correctly.

Check your vaccination requirements

All businesses are urged to review their employee vaccination requirements against Victoria’s Roadmap.

The Roadmap provides for a progressive reopening with eased capacity limits across various settings when all attendees are fully vaccinated. This includes workers. The option of eased 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 open or to apply the eased capacity limits offered in the Roadmap. Encourage your workers to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Visit the Coronavirus website for more information.

Update your COVIDSafe Plan

Every business in Victoria with on-site operations is required to have a COVIDSafe Plan – it is a documented list of safety actions.

Businesses that don’t have a COVIDSafe Plan risk a fine.

There are resources and templates available to help you develop and update your COVIDSafe Plan, so it meets the latest requirements and health advice.

Staying COVIDSafe 

It’s important that your business is COVIDSafe and follows the COVIDSafe principles.

You and your workers must wear a face mask indoors and outdoors – unless you have a lawful exception. This includes people who are fully vaccinated.

The Coronavirus website has information specific to each sector and industry to help you adhere to COVIDSafe practises.

For the latest information for businesses, go to coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-workplaces or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

We will keep pushing for more answers and clarification around other issues you have raised in the recent industry survey.  At this point, accommodation patrons are still not required to be fully vaccinated. This information is correct as of 21 October 2021.

We wish you all the best of luck with tomorrow as we move into the phase B of reopening.  I’d expect we would see the Greater Melbourne market open up early next month.

Please note, the information contained in this update is directly from government and not DMT advice.

As always, we will keep you updated as information comes to hand.

Best wishes

Paul and the DMT team
Acting CEO – DMT