The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has released a recovery roadmap that they want the Victorian Government to adopt.

The framework calls for events and entertainment to start returning to normal once 70% fully vaccinated rates are achieved.

Victoria is expected to reach 70% second dose around 10^th November and 80% around 1^st December.

Launching the roadmap the Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra said,

“It is time to get off this COVID-19 treadmill. With the race to 80 per cent double dose vaccinations well and truly underway, business – indeed all Victorians – deserve a clear roadmap which gives them clarity about when and how they will be able to open. They cannot keep existing on life support and we need something to strive towards. 

“Yesterday’s conservative easing for Regional Victoria was a step in the right direction, but we need hope and certainty about what comes next. 

“Victorians are good at coming out of lockdowns – we’ve done it five times now – but the sixth time must be the last. This plan is necessary not just for coming out of lockdown but also for staying open. It’s no longer just a business crisis – the response to COVID has developed a mental health crisis, education crisis, worker crisis, and community crisis. We must get out of this.” 

Victorian business needs certainty and clarity about when they can plan to welcome back customers and staff as we progress towards hitting the National Cabinet’s COVID-19 vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent.

The Victorian Chamber has formulated a detailed four-stage roadmap as a guide that we would like to see the State Government adopt, in line with the National Cabinet plan and Doherty Institute modelling, to provide a light on the hill for all Victorians to work towards. Our proposed plan is also consistent with previous frameworks and steps that the Public Health team has adopted as we emerged from previous lockdowns. They are setting that Victorians understand and can adapt to easily, quickly and safely. 

The Victorian Chamber COVID-19 Recovery Roadmap includes: 

Phase One: For all regional LGAs that have had no trace of COVID-19 for 14 days 

• Businesses open with restricted settings and a 25% capacity for up to 150 people
• Masks must be worn at all times, except when seated and eating/drinking
• State Government provides incentives to get vaccinated, targeting most at risk cohorts
• Government business support continues 

Phase Two: Once 80 per cent of first dose vaccinations are reached 

• Metropolitan Victoria shifts to regional restrictions
• School students back
• Masks must be worn at all times, except when seated and eating/drinking resumption of term four and university and TAFE students back at same time
• Government business support continues 

Phase Three: Once 70 per cent of second dose vaccinations are reached 

• Minimal limits on outdoor gatherings. Density limits of 50% capacity with COVID-19 Check-in Marshall. Max of 300 per indoor space and 1000 outdoor
• Office workers return to a density limit of 75% capacity (masks off only when seated)
• Funerals and weddings capped at 300
• Theatres at a density limit of 75% capacity
• Events over 1000 must abide by Public Events Framework, with a density limit of 60% capacity and crowds in divided section
• Government business support is tapered 

Phase Four: Once 80 per cent of second dose vaccinations are reached 

• No limits on outdoor gatherings or visitors to the home
• Office workers return to a density limit of 100% capacity
• No restrictions on hospitality, but COVIDSafe plans and QR code check-in remains
• Entertainment venues open