With unprecedented new regulations creating worries about medical privacy, employers will soon be able to verify whether their employees have had the Covid vaccine.
The upcoming law put out by Daniel Andrews’ administration would allow Victorian companies the authority to inquire about their employees’ immunization status in the interest of pandemic security.
The laws are designed to assist private companies in determining the containment procedures required to stop the spread of Covid in their workplace.
Business owners should decide for themselves whether to enforce regulations based on internal risk analyses, according to Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.
It comes as the Premier on Tuesday once against extended Victoria’s pandemic ‘state of emergency’ powers for another three months, after the declaration was due to expire on July 12.
In a formal declaration, the premier expressed his satisfaction that there was still a significant risk to public health over the whole state.
He continued by saying that this supported the current public health initiatives being taken to lower the risk of transmission and hospitalization.
The proclamation has been prolonged through at least October 12, and an update will be given by the state’s top health officer at the conclusion of the winter.
The premier will get advice from Mr. Sutton and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas over whether the virus still poses a “severe risk” to the general population.
The new authority granted to Victorian employers is intended to help them make judgments on the necessary Covid safety precautions at work.
The law merely serves to notify businesses of the percentage of staff members who have had the vaccination; it does not mandate that workers obtain the shot.
Last month, vaccination requirements were lifted for a number of employees, including instructors and those working in food processing and quarantine facilities.
The law will go into effect on July 12 and be in effect for a full year.
Workplace Safety Minister Ingrid Stitt said it was important that workplaces continue to implement ways of reducing the spread of the virus.
‘These regulations will mean individual employers can choose to implement their own vaccination policies, to collect and hold Covid-19 vaccination information of their workers,’ Ms Stitt said.
Victorians must get three doses of the Covid vaccination in order to continue working in high-risk industries like healthcare.
People working in other sectors are exhorted to maintain “up-to-date” immunization records.
The vaccine advisory group ATAGI held a meeting on Wednesday to explore enabling all Australians to receive a fourth vaccination.
Currently, only adults over 65 and younger persons with health issues can receive a fourth immunization.
Tuesday in Melbourne, Mr. Andrews stated his support for fourth dosages for medical professionals such as nurses, physicians, and other staff members.
Mr. Andrews told reporters, “I would simply like to make the point that the demand in our health system right now is tremendous.
‘ATAGI will wrestle with all of these issues and come up with the very best answer.
‘The point I’m making is the pressure is acute now, and for health workers I think there is a strong case; at least that’s what I’m told from those who are on the wards in the hospitals.’
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard is also pushing for vaccine advisory body ATAGI to approve fourth doses for the general population.
‘I actually raised the issue at the health ministers’ meeting last Thursday and Friday… my view is we need to broaden it and we need to move quickly,’ he said.
‘Let’s get a fourth dose if we can do it.’
Vaccine rollout data shows Australians are less willing to get third and fourth jabs now that lockdowns are over and jab mandates have been largely removed.
More than 95 per cent have had at least one dose but 70.5 per cent of Aussies have had a third jab. The figure is even less for fourth jabs which have been taken up by only 58.7 per cent of Aussies over 65.
Experts are warning of a winter wave as people spend more time indoors in close proximity during cold and wet weather.
As of Monday, 26 Covid-related deaths had been reported, with the overall death toll in the country having surpassed 10,000 earlier this month.
The number of hospital admissions has also risen to 3,511 nationwide, the largest number since February during the height of the Omicron wave.
On Monday alone, about 30,000 illnesses were registered countrywide; specialists fear that as winter wears on, the number of cases may rise much higher.
As Covid-19 instances spread across the nation, certain states and territories may consider whether to restore mask requirements.
Changes to the Biosecurity Act came into effect on Wednesday, with international arrivals no longer needing to declare their vaccination status to enter the country.