Victorian Blitz to Target Face Masks in the Workplace

Victorian safety regulators and police are set to target the state’s workplaces and enforce the use of face masks as the number of coronavirus cases continues to remain high.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services says the majority of the state’s outbreaks are now coming from settings where people are working closely together.

In fact, Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday that as much as 80 per cent of the state’s coronavirus infections since May have been driven by transmission in the workplace.

To address this, an inspection and enforcement blitz will be carried out in workplaces across the state. WorkSafe, Emergency Management Victoria and Victoria Police will focus on at-risk workplaces, including distribution centres, call centres and meat processing centres.

Victoria recorded 374 new cases of coronavirus on 21 July, bringing the state’s total to 6,289, with 3,147 of those active.

As of today, people living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are required to wear a face-covering when leaving home or risk being handed a $200 fine.

Businesses in breach of physical-distancing guidelines or other coronavirus restrictions already face an on-the-spot fine of nearly $10,000 and the possibility of further legal or financial penalties.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the mandatory masks rule should help reduce the risk in workplaces.

“Workplace settings, sometimes with very large workforces who have to be in very close proximity, they can amplify the transmission,”

The Government is acknowledging that there will be some reasons not to wear a face covering. For example, those who have a medical reason, kids under 12 years of age, those who have a professional reason, or if it’s just not practical, like when running – however, people are still be expected to carry a face covering at all times to wear when they can.

The Government plans to work with industry and unions to provide further advice on this within the coming days.