When it is necessary for continuity of operations and other options have been exhausted, Victorian workers in supermarket and food and beverage manufacturing, distribution or packaging industries may be exempted from close contact isolation requirements in order to attend work from 11.59pm on Wednesday, January 12.
Exempt workers must be asymptomatic, undertake daily RATs for five days and return a negative result prior to attending work, and adhere to several other safety precautions detailed by Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley on Monday.
Similar isolation exemption arrangements are already in place for critical healthcare workers.
The plan proposed by Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy and Nationals leader Peter Walsh on Monday called for the removal of isolation requirements for all fully vaccinated Victorians living with a positive COVID-19 case.
Under the Opposition’s proposal, those fully vaccinated close contacts living with a COVID-positive case would be required to take a rapid antigen test every day for seven days and isolate if a RAT showed a positive result.
A joint statement from Mr Guy and Mr Walsh argued their plan mirrored rules in the United Kingdom and would allow “thousands of critical staff to return to work, keeping shelves stocked and delivering the essential healthcare Victorians deserve”.
“Current isolation requirements are unworkable and have left families struggling to access the basic healthcare and everyday items they need,” Mr Guy said.
Mr Walsh said regional communities were at a stand-still.
“Our plan will help keep regional hospitals and health clinics open and get supplies of fresh food, meats, medication and other essentials where they are needed sooner,” he said.
The joint statement said more than seven per cent of healthcare workers were unable to work due to confirmed cases or household exposures, with that figure expected to rise to up to 15 per cent over coming weeks.
Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier said the Liberal-Nationals plan for an overhaul would allow thousands of critical staff to return to work.
“Isolation requirements are seeing hospitals understaffed and overwhelmed as Victorians are left unable to get the timely care they deserve,” she said.
“The government has had two years to prepare for this and it’s unacceptable that regional Victorians have been left behind once again.”
Meanwhile, Premier Daniel Andrews has extended the pandemic declaration to apply to the state of Victoria for another three months.
Mr Andrews said the third dose vaccine rollout and inoculating children aged five to 11 years old against the virus would give Victorians “the strongest chance of meeting this challenge” posed by Omicron.
“Extending the pandemic declaration ensures we are able to put the measures in place to slow the rate of transmission and protect the community’s health and our health system,” he said.
After consultation with and consideration of advice from Mr Foley and Acting Chief Health Officer Ben Cowie, the pandemic declaration will extend from 11.59pm Wednesday, January 12, for three months.
Prof Cowie noted Omicron had become the dominant strain, estimated to account for more than 75 per cent of newly diagnosed cases.
While 93 per cent of Victorians over 12 years have received two vaccine doses against coronavirus, just 17 per cent of Victorians aged 18 and above have received a third dose.
Prof Cowie also noted the continuing rise in hospital and intensive care unit admissions, with no indication that Victoria had reached its peak.
The potential significant negative impact on essential services and supply chains was a factor in the decision to extend the pandemic declaration.
