Vaccine mandate for authorised workers in Victoria
Greater Shepparton is the latest region to go back into lockdown in Victoria as the premier announced on Friday all authorised workers in Victoria must have at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine by October 15 to continue working on-site.
The construction sector will also reopen next week, under strict conditions.
Victoria has recorded 1143 new local cases of coronavirus and three more people have died.
Friday’s deaths include a man in his 80s from Hume, a woman in her 70s from Alphington and a man in his 70s from Moreland.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to their families and friends, this will be a very difficult time for them,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
There are 395 people in hospital with COVID-19, 87 of those are in intensive care and 59 are on a ventilator.
Vaccine mandate for authorised workers
COVID-19 vaccinations will be made mandatory for all workers on the authorised worker list in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Authorised workers will need to have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to continue working by Friday, October 15.
They will need to be fully vaccinated by November 26.
YOU CAN FIND A FULL LIST OF VICTORIAN AUTHORISED WORKERS HERE
“It is critically important that we do not see these cases continue to climb and go up and up and up so that our hospital system is under immense pressure even before we open up,” Mr Andrews said.
Mr Andrews said the vaccine mandate has been made based on advice from the Burnet Institute and Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton.
“As all Victorians know and understand, if we are provided with that advice, we follow that advice,” he said.
“This is about going the extra mile to protect the roadmap to opening … and to make sure we can open, be free, not have the health system overwhelmed with patients.
“We know that vaccination is our way through this. Vaccination is the most effective tool, weapon against getting infected.”
A small group of teachers and nurses protested against the mandate in Knox, Geelong, Mordialloc and Moonee Ponds on Friday.
“We are pro-choice standing here today to fight for our jobs,” one protester said.
Three people were arrested for failing to state their name and 121 fines were issued for breaching the Chief Health Officer’s directions.
Mr Andrews slammed the protests, saying: “I’m not taking lectures on freedom from people who would hold us back”.
“No one is exempt from the Public Health and Wellbeing Act, because no one is exempt from getting this virus.”
Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang told 9News mandatory vaccinations in workplaces could pose an issue for small businesses.
“It’s going to lead to many small business owners becoming vaccine police, possibly facing criminal sanctions,” he said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said compulsory vaccinations were not part of the National Plan.
“My policy has always been this is not a compulsory vaccination program,” he said.
Source: 9news.com.au
