Hume and Whittlesea residents will be able to enjoy more freedoms this holiday season, with updated COVID-19 restrictions coming into effect Wednesday night.
Health Minister Martin Foley announced new pandemic orders that will come into effect from 11.59pm tonight, and be in place until January 12, 2022.
Mr Foley said the changes could be put in place following over 92 per cent of eligible Victorians getting double dose vaccinated.
“These measures strike a balance between the risk of community transmission, and the protection that comes from being one of the most vaccinated jurisdictions in the world,” Mr Foley said.
People under 18 years of age will no longer be required to show proof of their vaccination status at all venues, including hospitality.
The mandatory vaccination requirement will be removed for all customers in retail, except hair and beauty services, and will also be removed in real estate, places of worship, weddings and funerals.
Mask settings in retail remain unchanged.
Under the pandemic orders, restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs are still only open to fully vaccinated patrons and staff.
Workers are required to wear masks.
Face masks do not need to be worn at weddings, funerals, or ceremonial settings.
If the event is held at a place of worship there will not be any vaccination requirements or limits on participants, nor any requirement for organisers to check vaccination status.
If the ceremony is at a hospitality setting, vaccine requirements will apply.
Workplaces exposed to a positive case will no longer be required to undergo deep cleaning, following evidence that COVID-19 is an airborne or droplet-borne disease, and the likelihood of becoming infected by touching a surface is a “very low risk”.
Tour and transport operators, gyms and creative arts premises such as theatres and cinemas will not need to clean equipment between uses.
Workplaces will still need to maintain COVID-Safe plans.
Elective surgery rules are also being updated, with rural and regional health services able to resume up to 75 per cent of normal elective surgery activity.
Mr Foley said it was important for Victorians to get a booster shot of a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible.
“All Victorians are eligible for a booster shot five months after their second dose and are urged to book an appointment as soon as possible,” he said.
“This will keep families safe during the holiday period and help slow the spread of the virus.”
