On 16 March 2020, the Minister for Health made a declaration of a State of Emergency under section 198(1) of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) throughout the State of Victoria arising out of the serious risk to public health in Victoria from coronavirus (COVID-19). The State of Emergency Declaration was extended by the Minister for Health until 11:59pm on 15 December 2021.
As part of the Victorian Government’s new pandemic management framework, then Premier Daniel Andrews made a formal pandemic declaration under section 165AB(1) of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) applying to the State of Victoria from 11:59pm, Wednesday 15 December 2021 until 11:59pm, Wednesday 12 January 2022.
The Pandemic Declaration replaced the State of Emergency declaration, which was not extended.
Following the expiration of the State of Emergency declaration at 11:59pm on 15 December 2021, the guideline ‘Exercising discretionary powers to the benefit of taxpayers during the coronavirus State of Emergency and the State of Disaster’ ceased operation.
