Victorian CHO Brett Sutton turned away from Bright Brewery … twice
Now that metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria are no longer separated by the “ring of steel”, several regional towns are being inundated with masses of tourists.
Many restaurants and breweries are filling to capacity and having to turn guests away.
This was the case in Bright on Saturday, when the state’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton was turned away from Bright Brewery, not once but twice.
“Mr Sutton was a great sport when our staff explained that under his own COVID-restrictions, we, unfortunately, did not have the space to seat him,” Bright Brewery wrote online.
“We’re sorry you couldn’t, in Premier Dan Andrews’ words, “Get On The Beers” with us, Brett - but we hope to see you again once restrictions ease!”
The brewery added that if you want to visit, it’s important to book ahead…no matter who you are.
Dr Sutton tweeted last week that he would be taking his “longest break since January” and will be taking a week of annual leave from Thursday.
“Keep those (donuts) and those tests coming!” he wrote.
It’s not the first time a government official has been turned away from an eatery due to their own regulations.
A similar thing happened to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern in May, when she was turned away from popular Wellington café Olive, which was full due to coronavirus distancing measures.
Like Sutton, Adern took the rejection good naturedly.
Victoria has today recorded its seventeenth consecutive day of no new infections or deaths.
While restrictions have eased, with up to 70 patrons allowed to dine outside, spaced at one person every two square metres, with tables at least 1.5 metres apart, and 40 patrons inside, the final step out of lockdown doesn’t look to be too far away. This will allow patron cap per space of 100 indoors and 200 outdoors.
A different density quotient applies for indoors and outdoors.
At which stage Mr Sutton may be able to enter a café on the spur of the moment without being turned away.
Irit Jackson, 16th November 2020
