THE first day of the much vaunted vaccine economy trial has resulted in a false start in the City of Greater Bendigo with at least three of the four selected venues yet to benefit from an increase in capacity.
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Bendigo Art Gallery, Village Cinemas, Anglican Church of Australia in Flora Hill and Body Fit Training have all been selected for the trial which allows venues to host larger gatherings of people who have been double-vaccinated against COVID-19.
The art gallery doesn't officially start the trial until today (Tuesday, October 12) along with Village Cinemas.
The need to honour pre-booked tickets for Monday's movie sessions meant a day's delay in the cinema allowing for an increased capacity.
For the Anglican Church at Flora Hill, the increased numbers for double-vaccinated parishioners won't take affect until there is an actual service.
Nevertheless, Anglican Bishop of the Bendigo Diocese the Right Reverend Dr Matt Brain insisted the trial would not see anybody locked out of church, easing concerns of those who have not yet received the double jab of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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He said the church would offer two types of services during the trial - one for the unvaccinated with a small congregation and one for the vaccinated where larger numbers could attend.
"This isn't preparatory for locking people out," the Right Rev Dr Brain said.
"It just means if you want to attend a service with higher numbers, you will need to double-vaccinated.
"There will be complementary services for the unvaccinated."
Leading into the trial, Anglican church services were made up of small gatherings complying with density limits when not in lockdown.
However, during lockdown or for services requiring large numbers, the service was held online.
The Right Rev Dr Brain said part of the trial was focused on working out the checking-in system for the double-vaccinated.
"What that means for the congregation of Flora Hill is still being worked out and the local church will be in control of that," Dr Brain said.
Under the terms of the trial, a government official will be on site to monitor the checking-in system.
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