The controversial coronavirus vaccination mandates in Victoria could be scrapped in the New Year as concerns rise over abuse towards retail workers who have to enforce the rules on shoppers.
The state government is looking at removing the directive in all but high-risk settings as early as January, according to the Herald Sun.
In October, Premier Daniel Andrews suggested the mandate could be in place till April or even longer due to a spike in COVID-19 cases at the time.
Government officials said a series of incidents of workers being abused for enforcing the jab mandate has led them to reconsider their approach.
“The high rate of vaccinations, the passing of the pandemic bills which sidelines the chief health officers, and the high-profile incidents of violence have led to a change of thinking,” a source told the publication.