NO GOOD NEWS YET FOR MELBOURNE HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES
There were just two new COVID-19 cases reported in Victoria on Sunday, with no further deaths for a fourth-consecutive day.
It continued an extended run of declining case numbers for the state. On Saturday, just one new case was detected. It followed daily tallies of two on Friday, and six on both Thursday and Wednesday.
The 14-day rolling average stood at 0.5 for regional Victoria and eight state-wide – the lowest it had been for four months.
Changes to restrictions were announced by the Premier on Sunday
Greater Melbourne
Pubs, restaurants and clubs, along with retail stores will remain closed until at least 1st November in greater Melbourne putting more jobs and businesses at risk. Business owners were hopeful that some small changes would be made to enable them to slowly reopen their business in a COVID-19 safe way but have been disappointed.
Despite low numbers of new cases, the plan for changes based on data (including “case averages, mystery cases, test numbers and the number of days people wait before being tested”), and opening on the 1st Nov will now be based on “the story that sits behind a case”.
Regional Victoria
A more positive outcome has been announced for hospitality businesses in regional Victoria with an immediate (from midnight Sunday 18th Oct) easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
The changes will see them able to host up to 40 customers inside and 70 people outdoors.
Gaming
At this stage gaming areas remain closed
Based on experience from NSW and QLD venues, it’s easier to operate gaming in a COVIDSafe way than it is to operate food and drinking bars. The question now will be if restaurants open on 1st Nov, what about gaming??
Hang in there VIC!
Resources for VIC Hospitality businesses
Updated Roadmap – How we work in Regional VIC >>> https://thedrop.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roadmap-How-we-work-Regional-Victoria_0.pdf
Updated Roadmap – How we work in Metro Melbourne >>> https://thedrop.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roadmap-How-we-work-Metro-Melbourne_0.pdf
Statement from the Premier >>> https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-10/201018%20-%20Statement%20From%20The%20Premier.pdf
Updated Industry Restart Guidelines – Hospitality (Oct 2020) >>> https://thedrop.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Industry-Restart-Guidelines-Hospitality_3.pdf
Hospitality Business Grant Program supports VIC food service businesses that were affected by previous Stage 3 and Stage 4 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions.
