With effect from 11.59pm on 8 July 2021, restrictions were further eased across Victoria, with consistent restrictions now in place across the state. In a media release on 7 July 2021 the Premier indicated that these restrictions would remain in place for another two weeks.

This Advice has been updated to provide important information about the 75% (or 30 person) limit placed on people attending offices. We have sought clarification from the government on how this provision is intended to apply in offices that are part of a workplace that is
predominantly involved in other activities, such as manufacturing, construction and distribution centres. We are pleased to advise that the cap is no longer intended to apply to these environments and will only apply to stand alone office environments, including separate head office workplaces. Further detail is provided in the 14 July update below.

Wearing face masks:

• Masks are still generally required to be worn indoors, unless an exemption applies. A new exemption has been added which establishes that a mask is not required to be worn in an indoor space at a work premises that is “not ordinarily accessible to members of the public, unless that indoor space is being accessed by a member of the public”.
• Masks must be carried at all times, and it is recommended that masks are worn outside if a distance of 1.5m cannot be maintained.

Attending work:

• Offices continue to be limited to a maximum capacity of 75% or 30 people whichever is the greater. See 14 July update below for clarification on application.
• The density quotient has been amended to 1 person per 2 square metres, with some specific requirements for COVID-19 check-in Marshals in public facing venues.
Requirements for specific industries:
• There is no longer a requirement in the Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations) Directions for COVID-19 Marshals in meat, poultry and seafood processing facilities or in Melbourne in warehousing and distribution centres, supermarket work premises (excluding retail) and perishable food work premises.

Employers are reminded that, with effect from 1 July 2021, the Victorian Government QR code check-in system is required for all people entering any workplace. Detailed information about the requirements are reproduced in this Advice.

A summary of recent changes is included in the Introduction to this Advice. The Summary of Required Risk Controls has been updated to reflect the amended requirements.

Workers who are required to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 may be entitled to receive hardship payments.