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A couple of notables out of the Vic presser today:

Victoria introduces booster mandate for workers in some settings
The Victorian government has announced a requirement for workers in health care, aged care, disability, emergency services, correctional facility, quarantine accommodation and food distribution will be required to get a third dose before being able to return to work onsite.

These workers must already show proff of being double vaccinated and were among the first workers to get their first and second shots last year.

The orders come into effect at 11:59pm on Wednesday night and workers who are eligible for the booster from that date will have until February 12 to get the third dose.

Workers not yet eligible to get the third dose will have three months.

Retail supermarket staff are not included in the mandate. Nor will it apply to workers who have a valid medical exemption.

Victoria to close down indoor dancefloors, encourages people to work from home
Also in the changes announced, indoor dancefloors in hospitality and entertainment venues will also close from 11:59pm on Wednesday January 12.

Venues can still operate and there are no changes to density settings.

• Indoor dancefloors at weddings will be permitted, but hosts and guests are urged to consider putting them outside if possible.
• There are strong recommendations that people work from home if they can.
• Patrons at hospitalilty and entertainment venues urged to choose seated service and to use a rapid antigen test before visiting (if they can get hold of them).
• Residents at aged care centres will be allowed up to 5 visitors per day, but all must return a negative RAT before entering. If no RAT are available, residents can have no more than two visitors
• Visitors in hospital must have received two doses of a COVID vaccine or return a negative RAT before entering. Adults who are not fully vaccinated must wear an N95 mask during their visit, while standard face masks are mandated for children aged 8+
• Workers in manufacturing, distribution or packaging of food and beverages including retail supermarket workers may be exempted from close contact isolation requirements in order to attend work from 11:59pm January 12 if it is necessary for the continuity of operations and other options are exhausted. Exempted workers must be asymptomatic and undertake daily RAT for 5 days and return a negative result.

The company I work for has put in place arrangements for our corporate office employees to work from home for the rest of the month, at least. Even those employees at our operational sites (such as I where I work) are encouraged to work from home until the end of the month, at least, wherever practical to do so.