Masks to stay as Covid-19 vaccine mandate changes in Victoria

Masks will remain mandatory in retail settings in Victoria, authorities have announced. Vaccine rules are also changing.

Victoria has backtracked on a major Covid restriction despite promises the “hated” rule would be axed.

From Thursday, masks will remain mandatory in all retail settings after the state announced widespread changes to its Covid restrictions.

The state government went back on the promise on Wednesday over concerns the new Omicron variant was spreading rapidly in the community. Victoria recorded 1405 Covid cases in the last 24 hours.

Face masks will no longer be required at weddings, funerals or ceremonial settings.

Masks will remain mandatory in retail settings. Picture: Mark Stewart

Victorian officials on Wednesday said the government needed to gather more information about the new variant before considering further changes to restrictions, particularly the mask requirements.

“Omicron has changed the landscape,” Victorian health officer Martin Foley said.

“Everything is of course subject to epidemiological conditions at the time, while we figure out exactly the best and rigorous advice, we just need to tread carefully and cautiously.”

It comes as more than 700 people were ordered into quarantine after officials confirmed an Omicron case visited two popular Melbourne nightclubs.

A person with the strain visited Sircuit Bar in Fitzroy between 9pm and about midnight on Friday before heading to The Peel Hotel in Collingwood between 11.30pm and 3am.

There are now seven people in the state with the new variant.

Victoria announced sweeping changes to its Covid restrictions on Wednesday. Picture: Mark Stewart

Victoria announced sweeping changes to its Covid restrictions on Wednesday, including to vaccination mandates enforced on its residents.

People under 18 will now no longer needing to show proof of their vaccination status and the mandatory vaccination requirement will also be removed for all customers in retails, except for hair and beauty services, real estate, places of worship, weddings and funerals.

Under the pandemic orders, restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs are only open to fully vaccinated patrons and staff and workers are required to wear masks.

Face masks will no longer need to be worn at weddings, funerals, or ceremonial settings.

Mr Foley said he didn’t forecast more restrictions coming in before Christmas, and said he was optimistic the state could stay open.

“The fact we’ve been so open for six weeks now, we’re confident that we can continue all of those arrangements,” he said.

“I’m confident beyond January we can continue down the path of staying safe and staying open.”

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

Global data has shown Omicron is likely to be more infectious, and some prospect it will get around some level of vaccinations.

Officials have said a third booster shot has also shown to give more protection.

Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said he believed the state would see a significant increase in Omicron cases as it replaced the Delta variant.

“The story globally is it is doubling every two to three days – it has gone from a few hundred cases in South Africa to tens of thousands in a matter of weeks,” Professor Sutton said.

“There is clearly some vaccine evasion, so people who are either naturally immune or have been vaccinated can get the Omicron variant.”