General News
17 February, 2022
QR restrictions, density limits ease
Free to read: Victoria's COVID-19 restrictions are changing on Friday, February 18.
DUE to the number of Victorians 16-years-old and above now vaccinated with three doses of the vaccine and decreasing hospitalisation numbers and community transmission of COVID-19 restrictions across Victoria are set to ease.
From 6pm Friday, February 18 density quotients of one person per two square meters in place at hospitality and entertainment venues will be removed.
Indoor dance floors at these venues can also re-open.
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QR code check-in requirements will no longer be in place at retail venues, schools, childcare, early childhood and for employees at many workplaces.
QR code check-in and vaccination check requirements will remain in settings such as hospitality and entertainment venues.
Minister for Health Martin Foley said the new restrictions were safe and sensible measures which balance the need to support the health system with the benefits of easing restrictions across a range of settings.”
“Changes to QR code requirements will still support our focus on the highest-risk settings most likely to generate super-spreader events,” he said.
“We will keep reviewing the system over time in line with the epidemiological situation.”
Key industries including meat processing currently observing mandatory surveillance testing requirements will see these mandates become recommendations only.
The requirements for hospital worker ‘bubbles’ will also be removed, but health services may still implement them at their discretion.
International arrivals will no longer be required to obtain an international arrivals permit through Service Victoria.
The 14-day hotel quarantine period for international visitors and aircrew who aren’t fully vaccinated or medically exempt will be reduced to seven days.
At the time of the announcements that density quotient restrictions would change 52.2 percent of Victorians 16-years-old and above had received their third dose of the vaccine.
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When the dance floor closure was announced on January 10, 818 Victorians were in hospital with COVID-19, compared to 401 at the time of the announcement that restrictions would ease.
The Victorian government has also announced that the Minister for Health will also begin considering changes to office-based requirements, including facemasks, and working from home recommendations.
Premier Daniel Andrews said this decision came at a sensible time to make changes to restrictions.
“We always said these measures wouldn’t be in place for a minute longer than they are needed, and with hospitalisation numbers decreasing and less pressure on our health system, now is a sensible time to make changes,” he said.
“We’re grateful to everyone who has been doing the right thing, helping to reduce the impact of this virus on the community, our healthcare system and our economy.”
Further details on the new restrictions will be published online at 6pm on Friday, February 18 at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
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