Retail Violence in Victoria at ‘Peak Levels’ After Access to Non-Essential Shopping tied to Vaccination Status

A shopper is seen checking into a Foot Locker store in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 29, 2021. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

According to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), retail workers have experienced an increase in verbal and physical assault just days after the Victorian state government made it mandatory that only those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can access non-essential retail premises.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra said that the organisation had received reports of one worker who was beaten up, another worker who was scalded by coffee, and one who had a shopping trolley thrown at them.