The Victorian Government has announced the 12 February 2022 deadline for workers in key sectors (including food distribution and meat and seafood processing) to have received their COVID-19 third dose vaccination will be extended by four weeks.
Workers in key sectors eligible to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine by 12 January 2022, will be required to receive a COVID-19 third dose vaccine by 12 March 2022 following a four-week extension, provided they can demonstrate a booking.
Workers in key sectors who were not eligible to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine by 12 January 2022 will be required to receive their COVID-19 third dose vaccine by 29 March 2022.
Employers must also confirm the worker has received their third dose and keep a record of workers’ third dose vaccination status, in line with the Pandemic Order issued.
Definition of food distribution premises
The definition of a food distribution premises has been clarified on the Coronavirus website as follows:
Is a farm business or a farm that has packing facilities as part of their operations considered a ‘food distribution premises’ under the third dose vaccination requirement?
No. Worker vaccination requirements defines a food distribution worker as someone who works at or in connection with a premises that has the primary purpose of the distribution of food, and is an onsite worker at that premises who is a:
· manufacturing worker; or
· port or freight worker; or
· meat and seafood processing worker.
A farm selling its produce, a saleyard or market, or an on-farm packing shed (e.g. fruit and vegetables) are excluded from the scope of the mandatory third dose requirement.
An off-farm packing or food distribution centre is included.
Some other important links for business include:
Get information on managing a case of COVID-19 in the workplace
Current COVIDSafe settings for workplaces in Victoria
Information on how to keep your workplace COVIDSafe
