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Regional Victoria to test how a ‘double vax’ economy will look in the state

Caroline SchelleNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

Trials for a “double vax” economy will roll out in parts of Victoria next month.

Hospitality, hairdressing and beauty businesses in regional parts of the state with high vaccination rates will be included in the trials to test how a “vaccinated economy” would work.

“This is a really important step on the paths towards becoming an open vaccinated economy,” Major Events and Jobs Minister Martin Pakula said on Sunday.

“We need these trials to ensure that we understand all the potential issues that might arise,” he said.

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COVID-19 PRESSER
Camera IconVictoria’s Jobs minister Martin Pakula said trials for a “double vax” economy would start in regional parts of the state with high vaccination figures. NCA NewsWire / Paul Jeffers Credit: News Corp Australia

There would be up to 20 trial sites and would take place in the council areas of Buloke, Pyrenees, Bass Coast, Greater Bendigo, East Gippsland and Warrnambool from October 11.

The date is about two weeks before Victoria is due to hit the 70 per cent double dose target.

“Potentially country race meetings, concerts, community gatherings  all of those types of events — will be able to be considered for trials of the double vax economy,” Mr Pakula said.

Training for staff and supports for business owners and public communication of vaccine requirements would be part of the trials, he said.

The trials would also help establish the best way to show someone’s proof of vaccination status and how the Commonwealth’s data could be integrated with the existing Victorian app.

COVID MELBOURNE
Camera IconThe state is expected to hit its single dose vaccination target of 80 per cent on Tuesday with people shown queuing up to receive a jab. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia

They would also be looking at other proof of vaccination options as well including the existing Express Medicare App and hard copies of certificates.

Premier Daniel Andrews said he didn’t think it should fall to junior staff to check on customers vaccination status and said the training aspect was “critically important”.

“Covid safety is not something for the most junior member of staff,” Mr Andrews said.

“I think a suitably qualified person who’s been trained and who knows the system works, that’s who’s going to be doing that,” in relation to the checking of vaccine status.

The state is expected to hit its single dose vaccination target of 80 per cent on Tuesday, which will trigger some restrictions easing from midnight including more outdoor recreational activities.

Victoria recorded 779 coronavirus cases on Sunday and two deaths.

Originally published as Regional Victoria to test how a ‘double vax’ economy will look in the state

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