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The state government has confirmed a new range of upcoming programs to provide support for businesses impacted by the omicron variant.
The Victorian government has expanded its financial assistance measures in response to COVID-19, with $200 million to be invested into business and consumer support across the country’s second most populous state.
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These steps include the introduction of the Ventilation Voucher Program, intended to help small businesses purchase equipment and upgrades to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Under the program, the state’s government will provide businesses with $500 vouchers for the purchase of air purifiers, ventilators and “other COVIDSafe maintenance”, and matched grants of up to $5,000 for eligible small businesses to improve ventilation.
This program will be effective from next month.
In addition, from April, the Victorian government will reinvest a portion of the Jobs Victoria funding to place workers in over 1,500 jobs across hospitality, warehousing and logistics, tourism and food processing.
The state will also introduce a $1,200 rebate from 28 March for businesses to access a range of digital tools as a means “to help modernise business operations”.
Beyond these direct forms of business assistance, the Victorian government will be providing dining, entertainment and travel vouchers for residents across the state from next month.
These programs include the continuation of “Melbourne Money”, an initiative that provides the patrons of restaurants in Melbourne’s CBD with a reimbursement of 25 per cent for a meal between $40 and $500.
However, it also includes the new State-wide Dining Vouchers Program, which will provide the same reimbursement as Melbourne Money, but for dining costs within regional Victoria and Melbourne local government areas beyond the CBD.
The Victoria’s Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Martin Pakula, commented that both business and consumer confidence is critical for the state’s continued economic recovery, stating: “[T]hat’s why we’re investing in these programs to deliver a boost where it is needed most”.
The announcement follows the Andrew’s government extending its Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme until 15 March this year.
It also comes after the NSW, ACT, South Australian and Tasmanian governments all announced similar support packages for businesses located within their borders.
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