The Victorian Premier has extended the state's pandemic declaration after widespread protests against the bill last year and as the COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BA.2 sweeps the state.
The new order will come into effect from 11.59pm on Tuesday April 12, prolonging the state government’s power to enact public health measures including vaccine and mask mandates.
"This extension enables us to keep modest and sensible settings in place to reduce transmission and hospitalisation – that means more support for health workers and limiting its impact on our community," he said in a statement on Wednesday. The decision to extend the declaration to July 12 was made after consultation with the state’s Health Minister and acting Chief Health Officer.
An extension to the state's pandemic declaration was previously announced by the government in January 2022 during the peak of the Omicron wave.