The Victorian Government has announced construction will shut down in metropolitan Melbourne and other Local Government Areas currently in lockdown for two weeks from 20th September, 2021.
Recently, the government have seen multiple outbreaks linked to construction. Construction workers are a mobile workforce who may work across multiple sites and travel longer distances to work than other permitted workers. Concerns have also been raised, and remain, about the sector’s compliance with public health measures and directions.
Also concerning is the transmission risk and geographic spread of construction cases, which led to a number of important public health measures including preventing workers crossing the regional/metropolitan border – but more action is required to stop the spread.
Therefore, the immediate shut down action is being taken to reduce movement, minimise transmission and allow for the entire industry to appropriately adapt to the Chief Health Officer Directions, including increasing vaccination rates.
Work sites across Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Mitchell Shire and the Surf Coast were closed from midnight on 20th September, with a strictly limited exemption for workers to attend the sites to respond to an emergency or perform urgent and essential work to protect health and safety. There will be minimal tradies permitted on sites for safety with only some projects given an exemption to continue work.
All government construction projects in metropolitan Melbourne and relevant Local Government Areas will be closed, with no new work to be completed – other than work required to make the site safe and secure.
The Government will continue to work with the industry to get as many workers vaccinated as possible – with the priority blitz continuing until Sunday 26 September, including walk-up appointments (without a booking) available at key sites. For more information about priority vaccine access, please kindly visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au
A COVID-19 disaster payment is available to help workers unable to earn income due to public health orders.
The Victorian Government will work with stakeholders over the coming days to determine the best way for the industry to show full compliance with the Directions.