All authorised workers in Victoria will be required to have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by October 15.
In order to continue onsite work and operations, premier Dan Andrews has announced the new vaccine mandate for all authorised workers.
The regulation comes after many violent protests and brawls against mandatory vaccines, but Dan Andrews has ensured that the choice is based on advice from the Burnet Institute and Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.
One dose of the vaccine is required by October 15 in order to restart onsite work, while the second dose must be received by November 26.
Alongside the vaccine, construction sites must have a fully trained and designated COVID-19 Marshal overseeing compliance.
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas has warned businesses could be fined up to $10,000 for breaching the new regulations.
Victoria is set to re-open its construction sector next week, despite record case numbers over the past two days.
A list of who is considered an authorised worker has since been released by the Victorian government, with many people shocked at the length.
Here’s the list of authorised workers as of September 27: https://t.co/Hixd25n3fA
— Benita Kolovos (@benitakolovos) October 1, 2021
Three more people have died, and 1143 local cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours, with fears that case numbers will continue to soar.
To put Victoria’s struggle into perspective, 395 individuals are hospitalised with the virus, 87 of which are in intensive care with 59 on ventilators.
There have been major developments in the outlook for the state’s recovery following record increases in case numbers.
An expert has revealed that Victoria may expect to hit up to 6,000 cases per day, sparking the possibility of a lockdown extension.
Every authorised worker across Victoria will need to have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by October 15 “if they want to keep working”, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced.https://t.co/I5N0hRcvhn
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) October 1, 2021
Dr Mukesh Haikerwal spoke to Today expressing his concerns around rising case numbers:
“They will probably double and double again…I would not be surprised if we see 6000 cases a day towards the end of next week”.
Haikerwal admitted that the strain on the Victorian Hospital system is overwhelming and simply “a mess.”
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp has urged people to consider the impacts of lockdown, however, says an extension is likely after the doubling of case numbers.
