The Victorian Government has reintroduced the indoor mask mandate as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

The Victorian Chamber – in partnership with the Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions – is proud to announce ten deserving finalists in the Victorian COVIDSafe Business Awards.

Well, we made it through, and Christmas is now on our doorstep.

10 finalists across three categories have been announced as part of the Victorian COVIDSafe Business Awards, created to recognise industry leaders who have been exemplars in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and have demonstrated innovative and commendable safety and compliance strategies and measures.

The Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme is ending on 15 January 2022. Although eligible tenants will no longer be entitled to rent relief after this date, tenants and landlords will still have access to support via the Victorian Small Business Commission.

Customers and staff will still be required to wear face masks in many indoor settings while some vaccination mandates will ease under new COVID-19 regulations that the Victorian Government announced today.

For 23 years, the Australian Government has contracted the Victorian Chamber to deliver a suite of services and support through the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) at no cost to employers and individuals across Victoria.

Thousands of businesses providing educational experiences for Victorian schoolchildren will be given a boost under the Victorian Government’s $112.9 million Positive Start in 2022 initiative. The funding, announced by Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Education James Merlino, aims to get children back enjoying the experiences they missed out on during Victoria’s lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.

As Victoria emerges from COVID-19, the State Government has bolstered the confidence of organisers of creative, sporting, business and community events to plan and stage events with an interruption insurance scheme and restart package.

Australia really is the lucky country. We are spoilt with some of the most beautiful landscapes and natural environments in the world. From beaches to snowfields, mountains to desert, we have it all.

The Victorian Chamber is seeking to secure better business conditions for our members in the tourism, accommodation and events sectors. Have your say by completing our quick, 10-minute survey and help us develop a viable vision for Victoria's visitor economy.

Just when we thought it was smooth sailing, we’ve hit a slight bump with the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron. I know many of you may be experiencing familiar feelings of anxiousness this week with the news of Omicron emerging across the world and here in Australia.

Research by Victorian Chamber members Swinburne University of Technology and Readiness, concludes business leaders need to ‘lift their game’ when it comes to psychological wellbeing in the workplace.

Hindsight is a funny thing. Had we known the COVID-19 wrecking ball was coming for us, we would have ducked for cover. We can’t use that excuse anymore.

Grab your family, grab your friends, and grab your workmates - it’s time to celebrate and enjoy our state again! The Victorian Chamber was delighted by today’s State Government announcement that it will lift the majority of restrictions across the state which will give all our businesses the best chance to roar back.

As a result of the hard work and sacrifices of Victorians, more freedoms have been brought forward by Premier Daniel Andrews, as the state races to its 90 per cent vaccination target ahead of schedule.