The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to change mask wearing and work from home rules as of this Friday Friday 25 February at 11:59pm.

Under the new rules, mask wearing will no longer be needed in most indoor settings and the public health recommendation to work or study from home will be removed.

Masks will only be required indoors in the following circumstances, unless an exemption applies:

• People on public transport, in taxis and rideshare, on planes, and indoors at an airport
• People working or visiting hospitals, and indoor areas at care facilities
• Workers in hospitality, retail and the court system
• Workers at justice and correctional facilities
• Students in year 3 or above at primary school, and workers at early childhood centres and primary schools (masks can be removed in secondary school)
• People working indoors at an event with more than 30,000 people attending
• In special circumstances, such as if you have COVID-19 or are a close contact and you’re leaving home

A statement from the office of the Premier Daniel Andrews also says masks are recommended for other workers serving or facing members of the public, such as if you are at reception, meeting guests or serving customers.

In response to the announcement, Ai Group’s Victorian Head Tim Piper said:

“Businesses are celebrating the new mask and work from home rule changes announced this morning by the Victorian Government.

“The decision is a boost for the community and the economy and one that most people will welcome and embrace.

“Businesses around the state have been asking for a relaxation of the rules on masks and working from home.  They will now be able to reach agreement with their workers on the days to attend the office and what is expected of those employees. And workers won’t need to be wearing masks except in limited circumstances.”

Piper said it is recognised that hybrid working arrangements between home and office will persist for the long term but says improved collaboration, building a business culture and developing skills are best delivered by teams working face to face and maintaining efficiency when working from home depends on a proportion of time spent in the office.

“Employers know there will be a reluctance from some to return to work – for many reasons – and no doubt the changes to working arrangements will occur over the next few weeks.  But this announcement is a signal that it is time to return to greater normality and we should get used to it,” Piper said.

“Businesses look forward to the State Government maintaining its course as we work through the inevitable ups and downs of COVID-19.”

The announcement today comes after Ai Group last week called on the Victorian government to determine a return to work policy and remove mask wearing in offices.

“There is no obvious reason to prolong these decisions. We need people back in offices across the state, and especially returning to the CBD and re-energising businesses,” Piper said last week.

“We welcome the decision to remove workplace record keeping obligations and the mandatory surveillance testing that will no longer be required. In addition, the removal of density quotients for events will enable that sector to once again be working at a higher capacity.”

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