Victoria lifts several vaccine and mask mandates

Victoria has announced several Covid rules will be lifted next Saturday including most vaccine mandates and the need for masks in airports.

The Andrews Government announced on Saturday masks will no longer be required in airport terminals from 11.59pm on June 24.

Masks will remain mandatory on domestic flights, public transport, rideshare vehicle, hospitals, and care facilities. 

The third vaccine mandate for workers in education, quarantine accommodation, food distribution and meat and seafood processing have now been lifted. 

Visitor caps at residential aged care and disability facilities will also be scrapped but visitors will still be required to return a negative RAT test.

People who are infected with Covid will still be required to isolate for seven days but can drive other household members to school or work as long as the infected person does not leave the vehicle.

General employees will no longer be required to work from home if they aren’t double vaccinated. 

Masks will no longer be required in Victorian airport terminals but remain mandatory on domestic flights (pictured, Melbourne Airport)

Employers can still implement their own vaccine policies.

However employees in health and care sectors will still be required to have at least one booster shot – three vaccine doses.

Earlier this week the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) recommended mask mandates be lifted in airport terminals.

People infected with Covid will still be required to isolate for seven days but can drive other household members to work and school, so long as the infected person does not leave the car

The Andrews Government’s new rules are in line with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee updated recommendations from earlier this week (pictured, Dan Andrews)

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‘The AHPPC notes all states and territories have relaxed mask mandates in most settings within the community and considers that it is no longer proportionate to mandate mask use in airport terminals,’ the AHPPC said on Tuesday.    

Health Minister Martin Foley said some rules needed to remain so hospitals didn’t become overwhelmed through winter.

‘Modest changes to our public health measures will keep Victorians protected as we continue to safely lift mandates and support businesses and individuals to begin to manage their own Covid risk,’ he said in a statement.

The lifting of more Covid restrictions is significant in Victoria given its capital, Melbourne, became the most locked down city in the world last year after racking up 245 cumulative days over six lockdowns.