COVID resources for Victorian businesses

AT 11.59 pm on Thursday, 21 October, new settings for businesses across metropolitan and regional Victoria came into effect.  

The Phase B settings under the Roadmap meant some businesses and venues could accommodate more customers and patrons if all workers and customers were fully vaccinated.  Preparation work included cleaning, organising, arranging, ordering, setting up and implementing COVIDSafe measures ahead of attendance by customers. 

The weekend of high activity was a sigh of relief for business.

There are new posters and other resources to assist businesses in preparing for a COVIDSafe reopening. They include posters on checking digital vaccination certificates and respecting your workers.  

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/signs-posters-and-templates
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-workplaces

All businesses are asked to review their worker vaccination requirements. The option of eased capacity limits only applies if everyone present is fully vaccinated (or has a valid medical exemption).

This means if your staff are not fully vaccinated, you may not be able to open or apply the eased capacity limits offered in the RoadMap.

The government and health professionals encourage workers to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/information-workers-required-to-be-vaccinated

COVID-19 digital certificate: Check for the green tick.

Businesses must ensure customers have checked incorrectly using the QR code service and verify their customers’ vaccination status.

If the customers have correctly uploaded their digital certificate to their Services Victoria app, you will be able to view their vaccination status together with their check-in details.

Customers who don’t have a smartphone or need help to check in and prove their vaccinations can do so by presenting a hard copy.

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checking-customers-vaccination-status

Every business in Victoria with on-site operations is required to have a COVIDSafe Plan. Businesses that don’t have a COVIDSafe Plan risk a fine.

It is essential that your business is COVIDSafe and follows COVIDSafe principles. You and your workers must wear a face mask indoors and outdoors – unless you have a lawful exception. This includes people who are fully vaccinated.

The Coronavirus website has information specific t each sector and industry to help you adhere to COVIDSafe practices. https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/sector-guidance