Within weeks it is likely that hospitality workers, primary school students in years 3 to 6, and public transport users will no longer be required to wear masks. maskmadate victoria victoriangovernment andrewsgovernment covid covid19 Covid19vic
The Andrews government is preparing to scrap a slew of lingering pandemic restrictions – including mask mandates for hospitality workers, students and public transport users – once a peak in Omicron case numbers subsides.has spoken to numerous political and departmental sources who have confirmed work is under way to remove most remaining COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria once case numbers begin to fall. Health officials expect the latest wave of the virus to peak later this month.
One senior source said that while vaccine mandates would remain in hospitality venues for some time, the government was considering scrapping them in hairdressers, beauty therapy services, universities, TAFEs and gyms. “We’re following the advice of public health experts, as we have always done, and when we have more to say we will,” she said.
University of Melbourne epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely said the government should not consider scrapping mask mandates for children and hospitality workers until after the BA.2 peak.The government is weighing ending mask mandates on public transport.“Once case numbers start to fall by around 10 or 20 per cent is when we can look to easing further mask restrictions.”