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Vaccination certificates

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The streets of Maldon are bustling once more as visitors from Melbourne are free to travel the state.

While cafes and retail stores happily welcome the increase in trade they now have the unenviable task of checking each customer’s vaccination status.

The Tarrangower Times interviewed local business owners and employees, many of whom have found the government mandates to be unclear, and at times difficult to implement.

Katrine Elliott, of Berryman’s Cafe and Tearooms said, “We have had people being rude about checking their vaccination certificate. It can be particularly difficult for young people to have to confront customers if there is hostility. We also have staff who have only received one vaccination so they’re unable to work.”

Kim Berry, employee at Beaton’s, said the new rules are confusing, particularly as retailers aren’t mandated to check vaccination status until the state reaches 90% vaccination rates.

“I’ve found the vaccination issue to be incredibly divisive, particularly when you have a different opinion from other people. It doesn’t help when people catastrophise on Facebook either.”

Lauren Adele Stevens, owner of Much Ado, told the Times that while retail is not required to check vaccination certificates until 90% double vaccination targets are reached, they’ve started early to get into the habit.

“It can be challenging, particularly when we’re busy and only have one staff member on at a time.”

Richenda Pritchard from Le Sel said, “The official site is very unclear, and it can be challenging and time consuming checking everyone’s vaccination certificate and people can be very narky about it.

“There’s an expectation that we’re supposed to have a dedicated person to check vaccination certificates, but it’s hard enough to get employees at the moment, particularly in a small town.

“Overall we’re coping pretty well with the changes, but it is yet another challenge.”

For up-to-date information visit: https://www.coronavirus. vic.gov.au/checking-customers-vaccination-status.

Tarrangower Times 5 November 2021

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 5 November 2021.

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