Lockdown era over as Victoria scraps pandemic rules
Nearly all Covid-19 rules in Victoria have now been abolished.
Victoria’s pandemic declaration is to end after almost three years.
It means the government will no longer be able to impose lockdowns or mask mandates to manage waves of Covid-19 infections, but workers employed in vulnerable settings must continue to be vaccinated against the virus.
The declaration will be lifted next Wednesday when the state’s forced-isolation rules will also be abolished for positive Covid-19 cases.
An end to isolation periods was announced following a meeting of national cabinet last week.
Daniel Andrews said the changes would allow people to make their own decisions if they caught Covid-19.
“Victorians have done an amazing job over the last three years, and this new framework will give people the choice to do what is right for them and their community following the unanimous decision taken at national cabinet,” the Premier said.
But healthcare workers must isolate if they contract Covid-19, and they will continue to receive targeted financial support if they work in vulnerable settings such as hospitals, aged-care centres and disability care homes.
Those workers must also continue to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, in the same way as they need to be vaccinated against the flu.
“The Department of Health will put in place secretary directions to ensure there is no disruption to vaccination requirements in health service settings – keeping the most vulnerable Victorians safe and protected,” a statement read.
“These directions … will allow for vaccination requirements in public, denominational and private hospitals, as well as public sector aged-care facilities, day procedure centres and throughout the ambulance service.”
Occupational health and safety laws can also be used to require workers in the public service to have their vaccinations.
Victoria endured more than 260 days in lockdown over the past three years due to massive coronavirus outbreaks.
The second wave stemmed from failures in the state’s hotel quarantine program.
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