Bendigo Art Gallery chosen to participate in Victorian Government’s Vaccinated Economy trial

The City of Greater Bendigo, along with five other Victorian Local Government areas, has been selected to participate in the Vaccinated Economy trial due to its high vaccination rate and low COVID-19 case numbers. Bendigo Art Gallery, which is owned and operated by the City of Bendigo, will be one of four trial sites in Greater Bendigo.

The trial requires patrons attending the Gallery to be double vaccinated to be able to gain access, as this will be the ongoing requirement when Victoria reaches its 70 and 80% double dose targets.

Patrons will need to show they are fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 digital certificate displayed through the Service Victoria app, Medicare app or equivalent smartphone wallet, or present a printed version of their certificate or immunisation history statement, or provide evidence of a valid exemption.

Victorians can add their COVID-19 digital certificate to the Service Victoria app through MyGov or the Express Medicare Plus App. However, they will first need to ensure they have the updated Service Victoria app which was released on Monday 11th October.

City Chief Executive Craig Niemann said this was an opportunity to help test a system that would support the future re-opening of Victoria.

“We all want to get back to doing the things we’ve been missing since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an enhanced QR code check-in system will be critical to that.

“Participation in the Victorian Government trial is an opportunity to help ensure the new system is effective and provide those in our community who are double vaccinated the chance to experience it.

“Greater Bendigo’s inclusion in the trial reflects the incredible effort that has been made by many in our community to get vaccinated.

“Thank you to everyone who has started or completed their vaccination journey. The City looks forward to our community and economy opening up to all of Victoria when it is safe to do so.”

Participating in the trial brings the Gallery in line with Victorian Government Roadmap Phase 2B conditions, which means an increase from 20 people to 30 people per space or up to 250 people in total across the various Gallery spaces.

Bendigo Art Gallery Director Jessica Bridgfoot said she looked forward to the Gallery learning from the trial experience adding “this is an opportunity for the Gallery to take a leadership role and broadly support the reopening of our cultural, events and tourism industries.

“The trial will enable us to test new technology and share our experiences so as we can all look forward to opening our doors to a much larger audience in a few weeks’ time.

“Gallery marketing and promotions during the trial period will be reminding patrons that they need to be double vaccinated to come and enjoy our current exhibitions Brett Whiteley: Drawing is Everything and SOUL fury.

“Our front of house team has been working hard to keep all our visitors safe during the pandemic and has displayed impressive leadership over the past 18 months.

“The team will continue to be supported throughout the trial, with everyone working together to make it as easy as possible for visitors to access the Gallery and understand the new conditions we will be working under in the arts and entertainment sector going forward.

“We thank everyone in advance for their cooperation at this time and encourage our community to come in and experience our latest exhibitions and also help test the new technology.”

For instructions on how to add COVID-19 digital certificate to the Service Victoria app do this, click here.

Image: Brett Whiteley: Drawing is Everything and SOUL fury,  courtesy: City of Bendigo