The Victorian Government has announced new, stronger requirements for businesses in regional Victoria. These requirements will help prevent future outbreaks of coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep regional Victoria safe.
Some businesses in regional Victoria are now required to refuse seated service or bookings for residents from metropolitan Melbourne. This applies to hospitality businesses, accommodation, beauty and personal services and tourism operators.
Businesses must sight a photo ID (such as a driver’s licence or proof of age card containing place of residence) and match the appearance and details of the customer or visitor (name and address) to ensure the individual is not from metropolitan Melbourne.
If the individual is a resident in metropolitan Melbourne, businesses must inform them that they will be refused service.
Where a prospective customer or visitor does not have photo ID or their ID does not match their ordinary residence or principal residence — the prospective customer or visitor must sign a written form confirming their primary place of residence is not in metropolitan Melbourne.
If a business refuses service and bookings from people living in metropolitan Melbourne, they have met their obligations for this requirement.
The existing infringement penalties for failing to comply with Chief Health Officer directions will be applicable to businesses that fail to comply with the new requirements. Businesses that do not comply will face a penalty of $9,913 where they are a body corporate or $1,652 in the case of individuals.
Where police or authorised officers consider that specific cases are particularly serious, they can determine to prosecute the matter through the courts where the maximum fine available is $19,826.40 for individuals and $99,132 for bodies corporate.
Regional Victoria is well along the road to COVID Normal after lots of hard work to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). But we need to keep working together.
We must do everything we can to keep our communities safe and prevent unexpected cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Attached is a poster (two versions – takeaway and no takeaway) for businesses to inform customers of the new requirements.
Please share this information with your staff, members and other stakeholders. To learn more about these new requirements and how to make your workplace COVIDSafe, please visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/business-owners-and-managers
Kind regards
Barbara Cullen
Director | Small Business Victoria | Jobs, Innovation and Business Engagement
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions