The Victorian Premier has shut down the construction industry in locked down parts of the state for two weeks.
Daniel Andrews released a statement confirming worksites in Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and the Mitchell Shire would be closed as of 11:59pm Monday (September 20).
If the regional areas come out of lockdown before the 14 days then worksites in those areas will be permitted to reopen.
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"The immediate shut down action is being taken to reduce movement, minimise transmission and allow for the entire industry to appropriately adapt to the chief health officer directions, including increasing vaccination rates," the Premier said.
"The Victorian government will work with stakeholders over coming days to determine the best way for the industry to show full compliance with the Directions.
"Recently, we have seen multiple outbreaks linked to construction. Construction workers are a mobile workforce who may work across multiple sites and travel longer distances to work than other permitted workers.
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"Concerns have also been raised, and remain, about the sector's compliance with public health measures and directions."
When the ban on construction is lifted, worksites will be under new rules to ensure they stick to compliance.
They will all have to make sure workers show evidence that they've had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
The drastic move comes after violent protests erupted yesterday outside the headquarters of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union building.
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Doors and windows were smashed as the anti-vaccine protest spiralled out of control. People dressed in high-vis gear chanted 'f**k' the jab as they rallied against the vaccine mandates.
CFMEU boss Dave Noonan told ABC radio he was shocked by what happened.
"Today's activities by the extremists and the people who are being manipulated by the extremists don't really help when you're trying to persuade the health authorities to keep the industry working under Covid-safe conditions," he said.
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"We never want to see the industry shut because it hurts people economically.
"We would appeal to those people who may have had their real, legitimate concerns and fears manipulated by those people to think carefully about whether attacking other construction workers and our offices is really something that is consistent with saying that you care about health and safety.
"It's not, it's a disgraceful thing to do, and they should walk away from those extremists who have got no interest in our industry, no interest in our values and communities.
"They should disown them and have nothing to do with them, because they're only going to bring ruin to our industry."
Featured Image Credit: Jay Kogler/Alamy Live NewsTopics: Australia