Minister for Health Martin Foley has announced a raft of changes to pandemic orders that will come into effect from 11.59pm tonight, Friday 22 April.
With almost 70 per cent of adults having now received three doses, patrons will no longer be required to have two doses or show their vaccination status before entering any venue.
Mr Foley highlighted Victoria’s high level of vaccination in explaining the easing of restrictions.
“The vaccinated economy kept Victorians safe and businesses open during an unpredictable time when we saw our highest case numbers ever, but now is the right time to set it aside and focus on the highest risk settings,” Mr Foley said.
“Many things that are very effective in driving down transmission will remain strongly recommended.
That will keep us protected during winter and help us respond to emerging risks.”
The requirement for staff and patrons of venues to check-in using the Service Victoria app will end, with operators not required to keep any attendance records or maintain a check-in marshal.
Masks will no longer be required in primary schools, early childhood, hospitality and retail settings, or at events of any size.
Close contacts will no longer have to quarantine – provided they wear a mask indoors and avoid sensitive settings.
They will also need to undertake at least five negative rapid tests over the seven days that would previously have been the self-quarantine period.
All visitor restrictions in hospitals will be removed except for mask requirements, with health services able to tailor their own settings based on their own circumstances.
Events with more than 30,000 people will no longer require public health pre-approval.
International travellers who are symptom-free will be recommended but not required to get a PCR or rapid test on arrival, and unvaccinated travellers will no longer complete seven days quarantine. Pre-departure tests for unvaccinated air crew will also be lifted.
People are exempt from testing or quarantine for 12 weeks if they’ve had Covid-19, an increase from eight weeks.
Individuals will be required to notify their workplace contacts, in addition to informing their social contacts but workplaces won’t have to individually identify and notify each potentially exposed worker.
The requirement to isolate for seven days following a Covid-19 diagnosis and existing two-dose and three-dose vaccination mandates for workers are rules that will be retained.
Visitor restrictions in care facilities will be retained to protect the vulnerable.
Residents can currently have up to five visitors per day if each show a negative rapid antigen test result – or two visitors if no test results are provided.
Face coverings will still be required on public transport and at airports – excluding airport workers who aren’t public facing – and in sensitive health, aged care and justice settings. All workplaces will still require a Covid-Safe Plan.
Many rules which are no longer required including working from home if you’re a close contact exempt from quarantine, will be recommended, rather than enforced.
Masks remain strongly recommended when you can’t physically distance.
Victoria continues to monitor epidemiological conditions and work with other jurisdictions and to ensure Covid-19 settings are aligned.
For more information on Covid-19 in Victoria head to coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
