Government offers ventilation vouchers

As the Victorian government announces a relaxing of rules for mask wearing, it has also unveiled a stimulus package to support businesses and entice people back into venues and workplaces. Although the incentives for dining, entertainment and travel have been offered before, this time there is new funding aimed specifically at ventilation.

A $60 million program will help small businesses purchase equipment and upgrades to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace and improve customer confidence.

Business will be able to access $500 ventilation vouchers to buy air purifiers, ventilators and other “COVIDSafe” maintenance. The government will also offer up to $5,000 for matched grants to eligible small businesses to improve ventilation to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This could include investing in equipment, building works, and maintenance services.

The $500 vouchers program will open in mid-March 2022. The $5,000 matched grants will open late March 2022.

“Business and consumer confidence is critical for our continued economic recovery, and that’s why we’re investing in these programs to deliver a boost where it is needed most,” says Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula.

The new program builds on the Victorian government’s already strong focus on improving ventilation to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Information and guidance about improving ventilation in rooms and spaces in workplaces is now available through a knowledge hub, and the signs, posters and templates page has a flyer with general information advice for businesses.

The Victorian government is also sponsoring the Building Ventilation Summit.