Victorian hospitality venues set to reopen this week
What a difference a day makes.
Especially in Victoria, where the easing of restrictions on Monday brought about a huge sigh of relief from the retail and hospitality sectors.
It seemed, after Sunday’s daily conference, that these sectors would have to wait again to open up.
The whole experience for all Victorians was deflating.
The Victorian Hospitality industry in particular felt betrayed.
The decision to delay the reopening, came as Premier Daniel Andrews and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton asked Melburnians to wait until Tuesday to allow COVID tests taken in the norther suburbs to be finalised.
Victoria's road map out of lockdown stated initially that Melbourne hospitality venues could reopen from 11.59pm on 1 November with caps on patrons.
However, many in the industry were hoping an early reopening on Sunday would be announced after Mr Andrews had promised notable changes during the week.
The changes were based on the 14-day case average dropping below five a day.
Wes Lambert, Restaurant & Catering Australia’s chief executive said the delay was a "betrayal of the entire hospitality industry in Victoria".
"A carrot was dangled in front of the hospitality industry all week and we now feel like we've been hit with a stick," Mr Lambert said.
He said patience had now run out.
"What patience? That was worn thin ages ago."
Peter Strong, chief executive of Council of Small Business of Australia said if the case average was below five, the road map suggested openings from 26 October.
"Businesses and people have done the hard yards. The date has been reached. The health criterion has been achieved. But there is no reopening and this is a breaking of good faith with the community," he said.
However, after two days of zero cases, the government has had the confidence to allow businesses to reopen from Wednesday this week under strict conditions.
Restaurants, hotels, cafes and bars are allowed a maximum of 20 people indoors and up to 50 people outdoors.
If dining in, only 10 people are allowed per space within the premises, with a maximum of 20 patrons per venue. This is subject to density requirements of 1 per 4sqm.
The outdoor space will be allowed to host 50 patrons per venue, as per density requirements of 1 per 2sqm.
Victorians have been quick to support the moves.
Pub manager Peter Appleby of the Grand Warrandyte Hotel in Melbourne’s outer North told the ABC, "I've taken four phone calls [for bookings] while I was watching it."
Appleby isn’t the only restaurateur taking an inordinate amount of bookings.
Anecdotal stories of restaurants being booked out are now rife, illustrating not only how supportive Victorians will be of their local eateries and watering holes, but also of how much they have missed Melbourne’s café and food culture.
Irit Jackson, 26th October 2020
