Thousands of Victoria's essential workers have until February 12 to get their COVID-19 vaccine booster, under a new state government mandate.
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New pandemic orders which kick in at 11.59pm on Wednesday will demand workers in key sectors get their third dose to continue working.
Employees from the following industries must have receive their third jab to keep working:
- disability
- quarantine accommodation
- correctional facilities
- emergency services
- food distribution workers
There are varying deadlines for workers not yet eligible for their third dose: residential aged care workers have until March 1, health care until March 29, and emergency, disability, quarantine, corrections and food distribution workers must get their third dose by March 12.
Food distribution workers include manufacturing, warehouse and transport workers but not retail supermarket staff.
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Hospitality staff and teachers are among the industries where the mandate has not yet been imposed.
Workers with a valid medical exemption are also not included in the mandate.
Health Minister Martin Foley said the jab mandate was to protect the most vulnerable.
"All of these groups are already covered by existing mandates for those first two vaccinations," he said.
"This is a sensible addition for the relatively high-risk nature that these sectors operate."
Meanwhile, Mr Foley also banned indoor dancefloors as of 11.59pm on January 12, with the exception of weddings.
He said venues can still operate and there were no changes to the density settings currently in place.
"This change reflects settings already in place in other states, including New South Wales. Indoor dancefloors at weddings will be permitted, but wedding hosts and guests should still consider the risks of dancefloors and choose to locate them outdoors if possible," Mr Foley said.
"Victoria is open and the community is encouraged to support businesses in a COVIDSafe way. Closing indoor dancefloors is a simple but important step - we know they pose an extraordinary risk of mass transmission."
There have also been further restrictions imposed at hospitals and aged care settings.
See the full statement from the government below.