Dancefloors will reopen and some QR code check-in requirements will be scrapped from 6pm on Friday following changes to Victoria’s coronavirus restrictions announced on Thursday, February 17.
Health Minister Martin Foley said the decision was made following the stabilisation of Omicron cases and hospital admissions.
Checking in will no longer be mandatory at retail, schools, workplaces and other sites, but will still be required at venues where you’re required to be vaccinated to enter, such as hospitality and entertainment venues.
Mr Foley also said the state would look to lift mask requirements in office settings from next Friday.
He said he wanted to wait another week to ensure the Omicron wave continued to stabilise “while at all times protecting our public health systems”, and confirmation of the decision would come through next week.
Meanwhile, Education Minister James Merlino said the Victorian Government would be putting 60,000 more air purifiers in schools by June 1.
He said more than 21,000 COVID-19 cases had been prevented by rapid tests in schools and surveillance testing, and modelling said 150,000 cases in the community would be prevented if testing continued until the end of term.
Mr Merlino said 24 million extra rapid antigen tests would be shipped to schools and early childhood settings.
GV Health will also begin administering the Novavax vaccine from next week for those aged 18 and over, with appointments able to be made for Tuesday evenings.
To make a booking call 1800 675 398 or visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine