Construction has been shut down in metropolitan Melbourne and other Local Government Areas currently in lockdown for two weeks.
The shutdown came into effect from 11.59pm Monday 20 September, with the Victorian Government citing concerns about “case numbers, transmission risk and reduced compliance” as factors which contributed to the shutdown decision.
All construction projects in metropolitan Melbourne, City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire will be closed.
Limited exemptions will be made available for workers to attend the sites to respond to an emergency or perform urgent and essential work to protect health and safety.
An amnesty will be put in place so that a limited number of workers can attend construction sites to shut them down safely.
Some critical infrastructure work, such as hospitals and some ongoing level crossing removal projects will continue during the shutdown.
Minister for Health Martin Foley said that protecting the health of residents remains to be a primary objective of the Victorian Government.
“The health and safety of every Victorian is our number one priority. That goes for construction workers, too, who can get priority access for a vaccine appointment,” Foley said.
All sites will be required to demonstrate compliance with Chief Health Officer Directions prior to reopening. This will include the requirement for workers to show evidence to their employer of having had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they return to site on 5 October.
From 11.59pm 23 September, all construction workers require at least their first dose of the vaccine.
For information about priority vaccine access, click here. For more information on COVID-19 disaster payments, click here.
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