Important COVID-19 update: Mandatory vaccination for construction workers
Public health officials have become increasingly concerned about COVID-19 transmission and exposure in construction settings. Construction workers are often highly mobile and the risk of spreading coronavirus in these settings as evidenced by recent outbreaks is concerning. Therefore, the Victorian Government has announced that construction workers across Victoria will need to show evidence to their employer that they have had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 11.59pm on Thursday 23 September.
Limited medical exemptions and proof-of-booking exceptions will apply, in line with previous requirements for residential aged care workers.
Employers will be required to keep a record of their employees’ COVID-19 vaccinations.
In a further tightening of COVIDSafe settings for the industry to slow the spread of coronavirus, construction workers will not be able to cross the metropolitan-regional boundary for work effective immediately, in light of COVID-19 cases seeding from Melbourne into regional Victoria. We understand this may be difficult to manage but we have to play our part to keep the industry and its workers safe.
From 11.59pm Friday 17 September, tea rooms will also close and food or drink cannot be consumed indoors at work.
Worker shift bubbles must be operating, and all sites require a COVIDSafe Marshal on site.
These measures are in place to ensure the construction industry can continue to operate in a COVIDSafe way.
Priority COVID-19 vaccination for the construction sector
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect our workforce from further outbreaks of COVID-19. Getting vaccinated protects you, your colleagues, your family and our community.
As announced on Monday, construction workers have priority access to COVID-19 vaccination.
Four major vaccination centres are open to construction workers, without a booking, every day until 26 September.
The Ford Campbellfield site, the Heidelberg Repat, Eagle Stadium in Wyndham, and the former Bunnings in Melton are open for walk-up appointments for construction workers from 8am until 11am over the next fortnight.
The Ford and Repat sites will open again for walk-ups daily between 5pm and 8pm, with the Wyndham and Melton sites open for walk-ups between 5pm and 6pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Pfizer will be offered to attendees under the age of 60.
For full details on locations, visit Vaccination centres
20,000 priority Pfizer appointments will made available to construction workers at all sites across Victoria (excluding drive-through sites).
Workers should book an appointment via the Coronavirus hotline, 1800 675 398, this week, to ensure they receive priority access. These priority appointments will be available through to Sunday 19 September.
AstraZeneca walk-ups will be available for construction workers at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre each afternoon from 3pm, for a fortnight.
Anyone who works at a site where civil works, building or construction activities take place, including contractors and architects working onsite, are eligible.
You can also get your COVID-19 vaccine by booking at a doctor’s clinic, pharmacy or community health service.
For more information about getting vaccinated, visit COVID-19 Vaccines
Construction site COVID-19 compliance blitz is underway
The Victorian Government’s four-week COVID-19 compliance blitz at Victorian construction sites is underway.
This operation has adopted a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to non-compliance.
Construction workers are reminded that they must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service, to check in on site everywhere, every time.
Face masks must be worn indoors and outdoors, unless you have a lawful reason not to.
Thank you for doing your part to keep all Victorians safe and construction operating.