By Judd Boaz
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has sent a clear message as to what the future of the economy looks like in the state, saying proof of double vaccination will now be the price of entry.
“We’re going to move to a situation where, to protect the health system, we are going to lock out people who are not vaccinated and can be,” Mr Andrews said. “There is going to be a vaccinated economy, and you get to participate in that if you are vaccinated,” Mr Andrews said.
The government says it is in the process of developing an industry pilot program to trial the viability of a vaccine economy, where more events, facilities and services are open to people who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“The economy, as best it can, will operate as close to normal as possible to people who have had two doses,” Mr Andrews said.
No further details about the pilot program have as yet been revealed.
Vaccine passports to be trialled in regional Victoria
As the government prepares to ease restrictions across parts of the state that are free from COVID infection, they have identified regional Victoria as the perfect testing site.
“We think that in terms of a trial for those sort of small gatherings which might be done in a double-vaccinated only environment, we think it makes sense for that to start in regional Victoria,” Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula said.
Restaurants, retail shopping, theatres and sporting events have spruiked as rewards for double vaccinated Victorians under the proposed system.
Mr Pakula said the conversations were already underway with regional businesses in the hospitality sector as to what the vaccine passport system may look like.