Chamber of commerce says rule will help hardest-hit industries and 'keep the state moving'
Last week, the Victorian government announced that starting 18 January, workers in emergency services, education, critical utilities, custodial facilities and all transport and freight sectors will be eligible for “the exemption to isolate” even after “close contact” with a COVID-19 case.
Although the state has clarified that the exemption could be used “if necessary for continuity of operations” and “if other options have been exhausted,” businesses have welcomed the announcement with “relief".
In a media release, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) said that it “welcomes” the order that “has given the green light for more workers within critical industries to be exempt” from the state’s isolation requirements, saying it will “help keep [the] state moving.”
“There is no doubt that the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak is having widespread impacts on businesses across all Victorian industries and sectors, and these changes will further assist in minimising the disruption of increasing case numbers on some of our hardest-hit industries,” VCCI’s acting chief executive Scott Veenker said.
“More employees will be able to get back to work, more business services will be able to resume as normal, and more hard-hit businesses will be able to maintain viable levels of trade,” Veenker said.
Under the new rules, to avail of the exemption, a negative rapid antigen test must be given to the employer for five days before resuming work and a face mask must also be worn while working.
Another condition for the exemption is the consent of both the employer and employee that the latter is returning on-site.
