Big change to rules for critical workers

Workers in emergency services, education, critical utilities, custodial facilities, transport and freight will join workers in the food production sector as being eligible for the exemption.Workers with the exemption will be able to return to work if it is necessary for continuity of operations and if other options have been exhausted.“They will be exempt if they are playing a critical role,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.“You cannot go to the pub afterwards or go visit other people, it is about being able to get back to work to perform a critical function.“These sectors need to continue, regardless of the fact that we are in a global pandemic.”The exemption will apply to attending work only and workers must take a rapid antigen test for five days.The changes will come into place on January 18.More to come