SUMMARY :
Staying Informed: Changes to the Victorian Vaccine Mandates
Earlier this week the Andrews Government announced an easing of Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions. At 11.59pm on Friday 24th of June, a number of changes are due to take effect including;
• The end of vaccine mandates for workers in retail, hospitality, beauty services, construction and education (excluding special education services).
• The scrapping of masks at airports.
• The end of visitor caps to care facilities (residential aged care and disability) providing visitors test negative on a rapid-antigen test that day.
The remaining restrictions include;
• Masks are to be worn on public transport taxis, ride shares and planes.
• The three-dose mandates for employees working with vulnerable people will continue. These include hospitals, aged care, disability care, emergency services and police.
What does this mean?
The Victorian Government have stated that employers will still be able to set their own workplace conditions with regards to vaccination requirements.
However, businesses need to be very cautious when implementing an independent vaccine mandate as they no longer have the legalities to back their decisions. They will need to demonstrate that without the vaccine the business will not be able to ensure a safe workplace.
Any employee experiencing discrimination on this basis should seek legal advice and contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for further information.
#justasking
What evidence has the Victorian Government relied upon for the ongoing implementation of these mandates over the past 6 months?
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/worker-vaccination-requirements#vaccination-requirements
Staying Informed: Changes to the Victorian Vaccine Mandates
Earlier this week the Andrews Government announced an easing of Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions. At 11.59pm on Friday 24th of June, a number of changes are due to take effect including;
• The end of vaccine mandates for workers in retail, hospitality, beauty services, construction and education (excluding special education services).
• The scrapping of masks at airports.
• The end of visitor caps to care facilities (residential aged care and disability) providing visitors test negative on a rapid-antigen test that day.
The remaining restrictions include;
• Masks are to be worn on public transport taxis, ride shares and planes.
• The three-dose mandates for employees working with vulnerable people will continue. These include hospitals, aged care, disability care, emergency services and police.
What does this mean?
The Victorian Government have stated that employers will still be able to set their own workplace conditions with regards to vaccination requirements.
However, businesses need to be very cautious when implementing an independent vaccine mandate as they no longer have the legalities to back their decisions. They will need to demonstrate that without the vaccine the business will not be able to ensure a safe workplace.
Any employee experiencing discrimination on this basis should seek legal advice and contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for further information.
#justasking
What evidence has the Victorian Government relied upon for the ongoing implementation of these mandates over the past 6 months?
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/worker-vaccination-requirements#vaccination-requirements