Tourism industry providers across regional Victoria are preparing for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations to be a key feature of their industry going forward.
The 'no vaccine, no entry' is the position of Donovan and Melissa Jacka of Tolpuddle Goat Cheese and Farm Foods, near Wangaratta, as they prepare to introduce a vaccine passport system when they re-open to tourists in November.
In a post on Facebook and Instagram, the Jackas wrote when they re-opened, visitors to Tolpuddle must be fully vaccinated (if they were eligible and can be vaccinated).
"The idea that a person has the right to choose not to be vaccinated, thereby jeopardising the health of someone who cannot be vaccinated, is deeply offensive," the post stated.
"We make no apology for our stance on vaccinations.
"This is about defending the vulnerable over the disgruntled in order to protect the whole community."
In response, Mr Jacka said he received hundreds of messages and comments applauding the action and four "vitriolic" messages, phone calls and "troll" Google business reviews.
"We did receive abuse from a tiny, tiny portion of people," he said.
"Of the 5000 who saw it on Facebook, and another 2000 on Instagram, we had one angry customer."
Mr Jacka will rely on vaccine passports, available on some smart phones via the Medicare app, which would soon show people's vaccine status when they check in to venues.
"We have a choice, do we protect the vulnerable or the entitled?" he said.
"We have customers who have had heart transplants, with Multiple sclerosis, adults and children with destroyed immune systems - I want people to come to our farm but we need to protect everyone.
"This is not discrimination - we need to provide a safe place for customers to visit, or we would be in breach of the workplace health and safety legislation."
Annabelle Cleeland
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
