IMAGE: Health authorities estimate there were more than 400 people at Sircuit Bar during the exposure period on Friday night.(ABC News: Michael Barnett)
Source: ABCnews
Vaccination requirements in some settings have been eased by the Victorian government, as hundreds of people isolate after an Omicron exposure at two Melbourne bars.
People no longer have to prove their vaccination status to access non-essential retail in the state, except salons.
Health Minister Martin Foley announced the vaccination requirements will also be lifted in real estate settings, at places of worship, weddings and funerals.
Customers will still be required to be vaccinated to access hair and beauty venues.
People under the age of 18 will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination at any venue.
Restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs are still only open to fully vaccinated patrons and staff, and workers are required to wear masks.
Masks are still required in indoor retail settings.
The changes come as Victoria’s health department alerted patrons at two busy Melbourne bars about their possible exposure to a positive Omicron case.
The person attended Sircuit Bar in Fitzroy, between 9pm and midnight on December 10, and then the Peel Hotel in Collingwood until 3am.
It’s estimated around 320 people were at the Peel Hotel and 410 people were at Sircuit Bar during those exposure times.
The health department said anyone who attended the venues must get tested and quarantine immediately.
Fully vaccinated people must quarantine for seven days, and people who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 14 days.
Bar owner reeling after staff plunged into quarantine
The Peel owner Tom McFeely said the past two years of rolling pandemic closures had seen him sell his home and car and dip into his superannuation to keep his business afloat, but he had started to feel “a bit of optimism” as the state reopened a few weeks ago.
“And then last night, my God, it came back with a bang,” he said.
“It’s one of these things, but I thought we were trying to live with this thing [COVID-19].”
He said he was told about the case on Tuesday night and was urgently trying to find staff to work this coming weekend so his business was not forced to close.
“I wouldn’t mind if there was what I perceive as sense to the policies and protocols and what have you, but there seems to be a lot of policy on the run with these things,” he said.
“It’s unfortunate, that small businesses like myself and Sircuit Bar have to suffer the consequences of this.”
He said he felt there was a greater focus on his business, where check-ins and vaccination status was enforced, compared to supermarkets where a positive case may have visited.
“The patrons now, they’re confused, because they’re thinking they’re double vaxxed, what’s the point of being double vaxxed if they’re going to have to isolate?” he asked.
Victoria records 1,405 COVID-19 cases
The Omicron exposures came as Victoria on Wednesday reported 1,405 new COVID-19 cases and three deaths.
There are now 11,518 active cases of the virus in Victoria, and 608 people have died during the current outbreak.
There are 365 people in hospital with the virus in Victoria, of whom 84 are in intensive care and 46 are on a ventilator.
The health department said a further 44 people were in ICU but their infections were no longer considered active.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton confirmed four new Omicron cases, taking the total in Victoria to 10.LIVE UPDATES: Read our blog for the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic
It’s not known whether any of those cases are people who attended Sircuit Bar or the Peel Hotel on Friday night.
Drag performer Jacqui Meoff said she had to isolate for seven days after performing at Sircuit Bar on Friday night.
She said the bar had been enforcing its COVID safe requirements.
“Sircuit is very proactive and their security staff, their bouncers, they make sure everyone does check in on the way in,” she told ABC Radio Melbourne.
