Victorian government changes previous COVID-19 infection rule
FIRST with NEIL MITCHELL
The Victorian government is stepping up public health recommendations, and the timeframe for exemption from isolation and quarantine requirements after COVID-19 infection has been slashed drastically.
It comes after a 53 per cent increase in COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks.
Neil Mitchell was tipped off to the changes early this morning, and they’ve now been confirmed by the state government.
The Health Minister is requesting that employers consider working from home arrangements.
Mask wearing indoors and crowded settings is strongly recommended, but not mandatory (except on public transport and in ride-share and taxi vehicles).
The period when someone is considered a recently confirmed case (and therefore exempt from testing and isolation/quarantine requirements) has been reduced from 12 weeks to four weeks, due to emerging evidence that new variants can evade prior immunity gained from infection.
The Andrews government has also announced another round of its Small Business Ventilation Grant Program to help businesses to purchase equipment to keep workers and customers safe indoors.
The changes to pandemic orders and public health recommendations will come into place at 11:59pm tonight.
Press PLAY to hear Neil Mitchell’s tip