As of 11.59pm, mask wearing in indoor and crowded settings is strongly recommended – but new mandates have not been introduced.

Employers are also being asked to consider working from home arrangements “that are most appropriate for their workplace and employees based on individual requirements”.

Other measures include:

• Another round of the Small Business Ventilation Grant Program to help businesses invest in equipment that helps keep workers and customers safe in indoor settings
• A Stay Well in Winter public messaging blitz via traditional and digital media to encourage third and fourth COVID-19 vaccination doses, flu vaccination, the benefits of wearing a mask and maximizing ventilation indoors
• The period when someone is considered a ‘recently confirmed case’ (and therefore exempt from testing and isolation/quarantine requirements) has been revised down from 12 to four weeks, due to evidence that new COVID-19 variants can evade prior immunity from infection
• Positive cases are still required to isolate for seven days from the day they took their test but can leave home to provide transport for a household member to obtain food, if essential. The infected person will need to remain in the car and wear a face covering at all times.

These guidelines follows last week’s updated regulations that allow employers to collect a worker’s COVID-19 vaccination status for their own workplace obligations – meaning workers do not have to be vaccinated but businesses can mandate their own individual policies.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the recommendation for individual businesses to implement their own mask and working from home arrangements and stands ready to assist and support businesses as they continue navigating the tough winter conditions.

Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra said: “The Victorian Chamber is cognisant of concerns over the increase in COVID-19 case numbers, coupled with a difficult cold and flu season.

“Business can and will play our part, just as we have throughout the pandemic. We will continue to engage and work with our teams and clients to keep everyone safe and stop the spread.

“The Victorian Chamber welcomes the approach of recommendations and not mandates. This puts the decision making back on the individual and businesses. We have advocated that mandates should be avoided. This is a common sense approach which enables people to make their own decisions to protect their health, the health of their clients and their family and friends.

“We would also encourage our members to support their teams to get their third or fourth COVID-19 vaccination, such as time off to attend appointments.”

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas explained: “As we’re seeing across the globe and around Australia, winter means more time inside where COVID-19 and the flu can spread. It also means our nurses, ambos and doctors have never worked harder, and we can’t thank them enough.”

“We are working with business and community leaders to ensure advice and information is provided to the wider community – to help all Victorians stay well this winter.”

“Wearing a mask, getting up to date with your vaccinations and ensuring indoor areas are well ventilated are small but effective steps Victorians and businesses can take to manage their own COVID-19 risk this winter.”