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.

On 1 July this year, WorkSafe Victoria introduced provisional payments to provide better support for workers with a mental injury. Eligible workers and volunteers who submit a mental injury claim can now access provisional payments for reasonable treatment and services while their claim is being determined.

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.

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.

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.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry celebrates today’s announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews that as of 11.59pm tonight, most restrictions will lift in Victoria as we move closer to hitting the 90 per cent vaccination milestone.

Over the last 20 months, Victorian Chamber members and the business community have been vocal in their desire to be part of the solution to managing the health and economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In partnership with the Victorian Government, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is establishing a new COVIDSafe Squad to help businesses to be COVIDSafe.

In Victoria's new COVID-Normal world, we’ll be living and operating differently, with businesses having to navigate a raft of health and safety requirements to ensure that once we are back open, we can stay open.