In a press conference on Thursday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced essential employees in these key industries that were close contacts of a person with COVID-19 would be able to return to work without completing seven days of isolation.
The exemption order is identical to that of key food and beverage workers.
“This is about helping Victorians keep food on the table, lights on in the house and staff on in our hospitals,” Mr Andrews said.
“Exempting those workers ... is a common sense way we can keep those sectors open.”
He said only the workers that were essential for the operation of the facility would be granted the exemption.
To be eligible for the exemption, employees must notify their employer that they are a close contact and both parties must consent.
Workers will be required to take a daily rapid antigen test for five days, wear a mask (preferably a P2 or N95) at all times and be asymptomatic.
Victorian COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said employees would also have to be separate from other workers during meal breaks, and no shared transport with other workers was permitted.
Employees are only exempted to attend work, and will not be able to attend any other venues, stores or other spaces.
Mr Andrews said the measures not only ensured the safety of the public but also the close contacts.
“It’s safe and sensible in the eyes of our public health team,” he said.
“To further protect themselves and the community, workers will have to use a rapid antigen test every day and wear a mask at all times.”
The extended list of exempted workers will come into effect at 11.59pm, Tuesday, January 18.
