Disappointment and concern over Vic retail reopening plan

Today Premier Dan Andrews announced changes to the testing requirements in place in Victoria. These are outlined below.

 

Beyond these announcements, the ARA is highly disappointed at the Victorian Government’s failure to confirm October 19th as the reopening date for retail businesses.  

 

With most retail businesses now shut for at least 66 days straight as part of the Covid-19 lockdowns, we recognise this is a serious blow to retailers who were expecting to open next week and begin preparations for Christmas.  We have expressed our strong concerns in the media statement below and will continue to advocate for urgent clarity with the Government.

 

The Premier has today announced harsher penalties for businesses that don’t check the details of people travelling from metropolitan Melbourne to regional Victoria. To date, businesses that are currently closed in Melbourne but are open in regional Victoria have been asked to check the addresses of their customers when taking bookings.

 

The following changes have been announced:

• From midnight tonight, with businesses who consciously fail to check their customers are not from metropolitan Melbourne facing fines of up to $9,913.This check could be achieved by asking customers to show their drivers’ license or Keypass ID.
• Regional businesses who do the right thing but are misled by someone intent on breaking the rules will not be fined under the changes. Instead, individuals found deliberately ignoring the restrictions will risk a fine of $1,652.
• Melbournians who are found in regional Victoria without a valid reason face fines of up to $4,957.
• The state of emergency and the state of disaster will also be extended from 11:59pm on 11 October 2020 until 11:59pm on 8 November.
• Close contacts of people with coronavirus will be asked to get tested on day 11 of quarantine to help reduce the spread of the virus. From 11:59pm tonight, those identified as close contacts by the Department of Health and Human Services must get tested on day 11 or thereafter of their quarantine period, or they will have their quarantine extended.

ARA: Disappointment and concern over Vic retail reopening plan   Media Release Statement

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