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Victoria set to issue Covid-19 vaccine mandates for more industries as construction sector protests

Anthony PiovesanNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

All Victorian school staff and early childhood services must be fully vaccinated by November 29, the Andrews government has announced.

The order will apply to both government and non government schools, as well as all types of early childhood and care settings, Deputy Premier James Merlino said on Wednesday.

He said a $190 million package of measures to safeguard schools against Covid-19 was unprecedented and an Australian-first.

The initiative would include “the biggest ever investment in ventilation in schools”, Mr Merlino said.

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Out of the $190 million, $125 million would deliver 51,000 air purification devices to every single government school and all low-fee Catholic and independent schools in Victoria.

The first shipment of devices will arrive from overseas next week.

“We will have a focus on higher risk settings, places like sick bays, canteens, staffroom, music rooms and more,” Mr Merlino said.

“As you could imagine, there is huge demand, global demand for these products right across the world and we are working to get as many schools with these devices as quickly as possible.”

PREMIER PRESSER
Camera IconVictoria's deputy premier James Merlino has announced extra safety measures for schools. NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia

Earlier on Wednesday, Premier Daniel Andrews said Victorians could expect more announcements about Covid-19 vaccine mandates for additional industries going forward.

While fronting the media to condemn the violent anti-vaccination rallies, Mr Andrews said more industries would need to get the jab as the state raced towards its 80 per cent target.

“There’ll be announcements made based on the very detailed consideration and determinations of the chief health officer,” he told reporters.

“I wish I could just do a whole blanket list but he has to go through a process so that it’s properly, legally done.

PREMIER POLICE PRESSER
Camera IconThe Andrews government will announce Covid-19 vaccine mandates for more industries. NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia

“So it’s not about people unfairly picking on the construction sector – that’s where the cases are so that explains the required vaccine decision.

“Then there are other industries where we can get ahead of cases and prevent the spread of coronavirus.”

CFMEU HEADQUARTERS PROTESTS
Camera IconWorkers in the construction sector threaten a fourth day of protests in Melbourne. NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia

It came as protest organisers vowed to stage marches daily until construction workers were allowed back on the job following the state government ordering the entire industry to shut down for at least two weeks.

The decision to lock up all building sites, a position strongly pushed by chief health officer Brett Sutton, was taken after it became clear the industry would not reach its government-imposed deadline of vaccinating 90 per cent of construction workers with at least one jab by Thursday.

Mr Andrews said about 330 Covid-19 infections could be linked to the sector.

MERLINO PRESSER
Camera IconAbout 44.7 per cent of Victorians are fully vaccinated and 73.5 per cent have received their first dose. NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor Credit: News Corp Australia

About 44.7 per cent of Victorians are fully vaccinated and 73.5 per cent have received their first dose.

Nationally, 47.7 per cent of Aussies are completely inoculated and 72.8 per cent have received their first jab.

Originally published as Victoria set to issue Covid-19 vaccine mandates for more industries as construction sector protests

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