Current restrictions in Victoria

Visit the Coronavirus.vic.gov.au website for more information on current Victoria restrictions.

Victoria reduces COVID-19 booster dose interval to three months

Victoria has reduced the dose interval for COVID-19 booster shots to three months effective immediately. Visit the 9 News website to watch the Victorian Press Conference from 19.1.2022

Third dose mandate
Agriculture Victoria has advised that businesses who have large packing sheds where the main business is distribution of packed items to retail and supermarket distribution centres are part of the 3^rd COVID vaccine dose mandate.  Workers in the distribution part of the business (i.e. forklift drivers, packers, packer supervisors) must have a third vaccination by 12/2/2022 or 12/3/2022 depending on when their second vaccine dose happened.  Other workers, for example office staff or pickers in an adjacent orchard, are not mandated for a 3^rd dose although this is highly recommended.  https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/worker-vaccination-requirements#third-dose-vaccination-requirements
 
Exemptions for Asymptomatic close contacts
Workers at all points on a farm are considered critical workers in the supply chain.  Growers who have workers who are close contacts can follow this exemption.
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-contacts
Scroll down to the end for Exemptions. Relevant category is:
• Critical food industry workers (inc food industry distribution workers)
 
COVID Outbreak on a farm
If your farm has more than 5 workers diagnosed with COVID in a 7 day period, you must advise the Department of Health.  Case in the workplace | Coronavirus Victoria  Dept of Health is currently working with farms that have had substantial outbreaks to ensure the farms can continue to operate.  If your operation is severely affected as you have a substantial number of workers diagnosed with COVID and you have not heard from the Dept of Health, please call Leanne at FGV on 0448 288 253. 

More detailed information on any of these points can be found at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/