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Suggested Vaccination Statement for Businesses:
Latest COVID-19 vaccine rates in Bass Coast
New Directions
Taking It Outdoors: Supporting A Safer Way To Open
Free Review of your COVID Plan
Connecting you to key Covid-19 updates.
How to add your COVID-19 digital certificate to Service Victoria app
You will need the Service Victoria app to add your certificate
Support Helpline

Dear Industry Partners,

As we reach the new 70 per cent double dose vaccination thresholds outlined in the Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan, new reopening requirements come into force. This may include the verification of patron vaccination status across both digital and non-digital mechanisms so please ensure you are familiar with requirements for your sector.

Note that the way you operate your business on Thursday may change on Friday with the new directions in place including the checking of vaccination status.

Communication to your customers should be considered online and also at the entry of the premises.

Here are some communications examples to assist you in the implementation and management of new processes.

Suggested Vaccination Statement for Businesses:

In line with the advice from the Victorian government, we require all patrons to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter our premises. We thank you for your understanding and support, and look forward to welcoming you back in.

Top 5 tips for local businesses supporting the double vaccination mandate:

Keep the announcement factual and in line with government advice.
Avoid sharing any political views on COVID-19 restrictions or vaccinations.
Have the above reactive statement in hand for any enquiries or feedback via your social media channel, phone or in-store / in-venue.
Brief all staff on the above statement for liaising with clients in-store / in-venue.
Remember to remain calm and polite when dealing with customers who may be navigating this situation for the first time. If you receive negative feedback, ensure you stand firm with the above statement to avoid opening up the floor to the argument.

Social media announcements from local businesses that support this approach

Clip 'n Climb Phillip Island

We are pleased to let you all know that we will be able to finally re- open Friday October 22nd. At this stage, we are still under limited capacity in our venue (30 patrons) and all our guests aged 16 yrs + (spectators & climbers) will be required to provide proof of full vaccination upon check in. Please understand that in order for us to operate and to keep our business open, we need to abide by these government health directions. Please plan for your visit accordingly. Looking forward to seeing you back in here for some well overdue family fun!

Westernport Hotel, San Remo
G’Day everyone!
Hope you all had a ripper weekend!
With the great news of restrictions easing this Friday there will be a few requirements needed to enter the venue to enjoy the cold frothy’s and pub grub.
All guests will be required to now be fully vaccinated and still show ID until metro opens up. We will still be running with seated service, so no dancing (just yet!) and yep masks are still needed.
Once you are fully vaccinated you can link your certificate to your check in app through myGov. Just head over to your Medicare page and follow the links.
If you can’t do this, you will be required to bring a hard copy of this certificate in person. You can get this from your local GP. If anyone needs a hand with linking the certificate, we are happy to help you.

We will be working with Visit Victoria and VTIC to promote a consumer campaign to encourage consideration and respect as we move towards full opening in a new unchartered environment.

Latest COVID-19 vaccine rates in Bass Coast

👍 Keep up the good work 👌
Vaccinations protect you, your family, friends and our community

Data updated 17th October 2021

Fully vaccinated: 77.7%
Greater 95% of Bass Coast population aged over15 have had their first dose

We are here to support you, please do not hesitate to contact Kim or Pauleen.

Kim Storey 0409 250 895 dpi@visitphillipisland.com.au
Pauleen Boulton / Arnika Martin 0466 620 856

Do not forget to follow our Facebook Page, where we share the latest updates and events

@destinationphillipislandindustry

New Directions

The Victorian Government has announced Victoria is set to hit its 70 per cent double dose vaccination target nearly a week early and significant restrictions are set to be eased. With our first dose vaccination rate at almost 90 per cent, Victoria will this week hit a significant milestone on the Roadmap, with 70 per cent of Victorians 16 years and over having received two vaccine doses.
Because of this, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has determined that at 11.59pm on Thursday 21 October, Victoria will move forward in opening up and more restrictions will be eased.

From 11:59pm on Thursday 21 October for both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria:

Up to 10 people (including dependents) per day will be able to visit homes in both regional and metropolitan Melbourne. It’s highly recommended that Victorians only permit people aged 12 years and over who are fully vaccinated to visit them.
Movement between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will only be allowed for permitted reasons.
Workers who are required to get vaccinated must provide their employer with evidence that they meet the vaccination requirements for their industry.
Masks will still be required both indoors and outdoors for all Victorians.
Large scale construction sites will increase to 100 per cent capacity but only if all workers are fully vaccinated.

In metropolitan Melbourne:

The curfew and the 15km travel radius will be lifted. However, movement between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will only be allowed for permitted reasons.
15 people can gather outdoors. Community sport training returns for minimum required to hold training.
People must continue to work from home if they can.
Most outdoor settings – outdoor cafes, cinemas, and physical recreation facilities like pools – will open with up to 50 people per venue but are subject to density limits and only for those fully vaccinated - including workers.
Indoor settings - like pubs, restaurants and cafes - will be able to reopen with up to 20 people indoors with density limits, and only if all attendees – including workers – are fully vaccinated.
Hairdressing and personal care can open for up to five fully vaccinated people.
Religious gatherings, weddings and funerals will be able to take place with up to 50 people outdoors and 20 people indoors subject to density limits and only if all attendees are fully vaccinated. Or, if vaccination status is unknown, 10 people are permitted indoors for funerals, weddings and religious gatherings.

In regional Victoria:

Up to 20 people can gather outdoors, including dependents.
Indoor settings – like pubs, restaurants, cafes and gyms – will increase from 10 to 30 people per venue, if everyone is fully vaccinated.
Outdoor venues will increase from 20 to up to 100 people per venue, but only if everyone is fully vaccinated. If vaccination status is unknown, the venue can only have a total of 20 people.
Community sport returns indoors for minimum number required.
Funerals and weddings are allowed for 30 fully vaccinated people indoors and 100 fully vaccinated outdoors.

See the updated Roadmap for further details.

Summary of proposed restriction levels - Regional Victoria

Summary of proposed restriction levels - Metro Melbourne

The next milestone in the Roadmap will be when Victoria hits the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target, which is predicted to be the first week of November.
The more Victorians who get vaccinated, the sooner we will hit the next target and the more restrictions we can lift.

Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan is based on modelling from the Burnet Institute and is set against COVID-19 thresholds, including hospitalisation rates and the vaccination targets already set out in the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response.

If you haven’t booked your appointment, please book it today.
Victorians can also book a vaccine appointment through their GP or pharmacist. For more info on the Roadmap or to book a vaccination visit coronavirus.vic.gov au.

Taking It Outdoors: Supporting A Safer Way To Open

The Victorian Government will help businesses and the community breathe new life into local neighborhoods as vaccination progressively delivers greater freedoms across the state from Friday.

With summer drawing near and Victorians warming to the promise of a return to bars, cafes and restaurants, new support unveiled today will build on the success of last year’s Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package which helped to create an agile world of parklets and pop-up bars, with streamlined council permits.

The $54.5 million Outdoor Economy Package will help support the costs for thousands of businesses of setting up for street trading, and back councils to provide the necessary infrastructure and support.

A $14.5 million COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Voucher Program will provide more than 7,000 Victorian businesses, community organisations, not-for-profits and trader associations with $2,000 grants when they spend at least that amount to support initiatives such as outdoor hospitality and entertainment.

The vouchers will be valid for expenses including purchasing and hiring marquees, screens and umbrellas, obtaining insurance and promoting outdoor operations. Some 20 per cent of the vouchers will be allocated in regional Victoria.

Hairdressers, beauty services, retail shops, dance studios and gyms will also be eligible to apply for vouchers, meaning they can join restaurants, cafes and bars in harnessing the opportunities of kerbside trading. The Voucher Program will open soon and will be delivered by Business Victoria in partnership with Service Victoria.

A new $40 million COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Fund will help councils transform more outdoor areas so Victorians can enjoy local attractions safely as we reach the key 70 per cent double vaccination threshold, then 80 per cent, with restrictions lifting significantly at those marks.

The Fund will allocate $20.5 million so councils can provide immediate assistance to businesses to operate outdoors, through physical improvements such as new street furniture, landscaping, marquees, planter boxes and public art, as well as entertainment to bring our outdoor precincts to life.

Funding will be allocated based on the level of business activity, with metropolitan councils to receive between $300,000 and $800,000, regional councils $300,000–$500,000 and rural councils $100,000–$250,000.

Councils will also receive a share of $19.5 million to establish semi-permanent and permanent outdoor precincts.

The Fund will provide maximum benefit to businesses with councils encouraged to use part of their allocation to waive permit fees and related charges. Councils will be required to agree not to create or impose any new or net additional fees or charges to businesses to use new or upgraded outdoor spaces.

Free Review of your COVID Plan

• A free, confidential service offered by the Victorian Government
• Advice from leading professional services firm Ernst & Young

The Victorian Government is offering a free, independent review of your COVIDSafe Plan to ensure it is up to date and reflects the current COVIDSafe settings.

Every Victorian business must have a COVIDSafe Plan to help protect workers and customers from COVID-19.

Ernst & Young will:
• Consider your COVIDSafe Plan and any relevant information.
• Meet with you to discuss how you have implemented the plan.
• Provide confidential advice on how to address any gaps or areas for improvement.

How do I book a free COVIDSafe Plan review?
Email covidsafeplanreview@djpr.vic.gov.au.
Provide the following: Your Business name, the name of the best person to contact and their phone number.

If you have any questions relating to your COVIDSafe requirements, please email icc@ecodev.vic.gov.au or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

Connecting you to key Covid-19 updates.

How to add your COVID-19 digital certificate to Service Victoria app

You will need the Service Victoria app to add your certificate

Downloading the app is the easy way to show proof of vaccination when checking in.
To add your COVID-19 vaccination certificate to your check-ins, you need to download the Service Victoria app.

Don't have the app?

The Service Victoria app is available for download in the Apple Store and Google Play store.

Support Helpline

It costs nothing get a free mental health check. If you, your family or workmates are feeling overwhelmed or even just 'not quite right' - make use of the free confidential service.

More information is available on the Partners in Wellbeing Website.