There’s yet more positive news on the COVID-19 restrictions front for Victoria coming at the end of this week.
Health Minister Martin Foley announced on Tuesday morning that a detested rule will be removed as a result of the state’s declining COVID hospitalisation rates (as per news.com.au).
From midnight on Friday, the public health recommendation for Victorians to work or study from home will no longer be in place, while masks will no longer be needed in indoor settings.
“As hospitalisation rates decline and third-dose vaccination rates increase, a number of sensible changes to pandemic orders and public health recommendations in Victoria will come into place,” a statement from the Department of Premier and Cabinet explained.
Masks will still be required in certain places. They’ll still have to be worn on public transport, in taxis and ride shares, on planes, inside airports, and in hospitals and care facilities.
Workers at indoor events with more than 30,000 people in attendance will need to use face coverings, as will workers in hospitality, retail, the court system, and at justice and correctional centres.
While secondary school students won’t have to wear masks, they’ll remain a requirement for anyone in year three or above at primary school.
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And for anyone in “special circumstances”, such as those with COVID-19 or a close contact of someone with the virus, will of course still be required to wear a mask when they leave their home. Essentially it’s still necessary for people who serve members of the public regularly to continue wearing masks.
Another change is coming to the state’s COVID restrictions: remaining restrictions on elective surgery will be lifted from the following Monday, February 28th. Public hospitals will resume all surgery from that date, subject to both staff availability and COVID demands.
For more on this topic, follow the Health & Wellness Observer.
