Regional Vic hospitality businesses say the 10-patron cap is unviable

While the lifting of lockdown in regional Victoria has been largely welcomed, hospitality businesses have branded one restriction “a cruel joke”.

Borchelli Ristorante manager Sharie Ross continued to serve takeaway during the regional Victoria lockdown. Picture: Zizi Averill

Patron limits at hospitality venues in regional Victoria have been branded a “cruel joke” which will make many businesses unviable.

The Victorian Government on Wednesday announced the lockdown in regional Victoria would end at midnight Thursday, paving the way for most businesses including hospitality and retail to reopen.

However, the limit of 10 people inside and 20 outside has been widely criticised.

Ballarat’s Bunch of Grapes Hotel owner Jamie Morecombe said the patron limit announcement was “another cruel joke from Daniel Andrews”.

“I don’t think we can open up,” he said.

“Our poor staff are desperate to get back to work, but I don’t know if we can justify it with only 10 customers allowed inside at a time.

“This is not good enough. The majority of hospitality venues in Ballarat will not be able to reopen with these harsh rules in place.”

Bunch of Grapes Hotel owner Jamie Morecombe.

Management at the Farmers Arms Hotel in Creswick said the capacity limits meant it would remain closed.

Hotel Warrnambool will also remain closed due to the restrictions.

Warrnambool’s Flying Horse Bar and Brewery owner Matt Monk said the patron limits would make it difficult but the business would pivot to introduce all-day dining.

“We’re licensed for 1024 patrons so to have 10 or 30 including outside, it’s a bit of a joke but what do you do?” he said.

However, he said reopening was crucial for staff morale and momentum for the business.

“You asked me if it’s glass half empty or glass half full – mate, I’m absolutely thrilled to have a glass,” he said.

“I strongly believe at the end of this – and there will be an end, but people are probably too bogged down to see it … but our industry will thrive because people have missed the social part of their lives.

“Testament to that is why we’re choosing to open and have a crack. You’re in the game or you‘re not.

“It’s bloody tough though, there’s no doubt about that.”

Cath Murphy from Clip n Climb Phillip Island said she was frustrated the business couldn’t open with indoor sport and recreation remaining banned.

“We try to remain positive but it‘s getting really tough,” she said.

“We are hoping we don’t lose the entire school holiday period but it’s not looking hopeful.”

Ms Murphy said she wanted the chance to open up like majority of other regional businesses.

“We operate safely in following Covid guidelines in an enormous warehouse which has roller doors to allow the air to flow,” she said.

“We are happy to work under any necessary restrictions but find it unfair and unnecessary when we are just told to close.”

Borchelli Ristorante manager Sharie Ross at the View St Italian restaurant in Bendigo. Picture: Zizi Averill

Borchelli Ristorante owner Sharon Lock said the phone had been ringing off the hook as Bendigo diners tried to get a seat at her Italian restaurant in the heart of the arts district.

“The phones are going, emails are going crazy, everyone wants a spot,” Ms Lock said.

Ms Lock said she had hoped the capacity numbers were larger, but anything was better than takeaway only.

“We just want to be smiling back at people and get some normality back.”

Ms Lock said checking the IDs of her customers was a small inconvenience to allow regional businesses to reopen.

She said there had only been a few complaints about the identity card checks, and a handful of Melburnians turned away over the past few months.

Mildura City Heart manager Danielle Hobbs said a confirmed positive case in Mildura on Wednesday was a “slightly sour note to the sweet announcement” of lockdown ending for regional Victoria.

"I feel on one hand, very excited for our businesses to know that we can be opening up again, and for our communities, but it's with some trepidation, given the news about the new case, in Mildura today,” she said.

"I think it just really underlines the need for all businesses and all people entering businesses to be ensuring that they're checking in for any potential need to be contacted.”

Ballarat’s Black Label Tattoo Collective co-owner Erin Arnold said the artists could not wait to get back to work.

“Our apprentice tattoo artist Shamus was so bored during lockdown that he ended up making a full-on skate park out of wood in his shed; thankfully, lockdown ended before he broke any bones,” she said.

Mildura Mayor Jason Modica said the lockdown announcement was a positive step for the community.

“Hopefully, we'll be able to open up and everybody keeps getting vaccinated and doing the right thing by the health rules in regard to lockdowns and it's just good for the region, he said.

"People are just quite worn out and that lack of continuity or understanding of when it's gonna finish, is really wearing people down. So that's tough."

Victoria Police deputy commissioner Rick Nugent announced 200 officers would be deployed to catch Melburnian attempting to sneak out of the metro lockdown.

Mr Nugent said the highly visible Operation Guardian would involve roving patrols, random checkpoints, booze buses and car licence and registration scans for vehicles moving along the seven main highways and down country Victorian backroads.

Staff at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat are jumping for joy at the end to lockdown.

Mr Nugent said this strategy was effective in previous lockdowns, and there were no plans to bring back the 'ring of steel'.

Mr Nugent responded to concerns from some businesses that the ID system put the onus on them to police their customers.

"It's about everyone doing their bit," he said. "It's important for them to keep their businesses going.

"Local communities do all they can to keep their communities safe.

"(And) we're not seeing an exodus (like in 2020)," he said.

Sovereign Hill chief executive officer Sarah Quon said the tourist attraction was thankful to be able to reopen for regional visitors for the school holiday period.

“Regional visitors have been incredibly supportive of Sovereign Hill throughout the past 18 months and we thank them for truly living the ‘discover your own backyard’ philosophy,” she said.

“We will make some changes to our experience to accommodate the restrictions in place but are confident a great visitor experience awaits.

“When tickets go on sale booking ahead is critical as we will be operating with online pre-booked tickets only and capacity limits will be in place.”

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Jennifer Alden said the announcement was great news for the region.

“I think this latest lockdown has been the toughest, so to know that we can take these cautious steps is exciting and gives us hope," Cr Alden said.

Cr Alden said now, more than ever, the community needed everyone to be Covid-Safe – by getting tested, socially distancing, and wearing their masks.

“As we get out and support local businesses, please ensure you’re carrying ID and show it willingly. It will make it much easier for the staff that need to ask as a requirement of opening back up," she said.

Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell said she was "not surprised" to see the Greater Shepparton released from lockdown.

"I hope the government looks at Shepparton's situation daily, not next week," he said.

"Businesses and families are suffering and need to get back to living as normal as possible soon.

"But it's important we do it in a safe manner."

Meanwhile, on the Victorian-NSW border, premier John Barilaro said he would be fighting for Albury to be released from lockdown at the NSW crisis cabinet meeting.

“My intention is that the region should come out, that’s what we’re putting forward,” he said. “We will know by hopefully 5 or 6 tonight and we will announce it when we can.”

Mr Barilaro said it made sense for Albury to be released in line with Wodonga’s release from lockdown by the Victorian Government.

“I think those border communities feel it more when there is a disparity,” he said.

“I’ll be batting to make sure we can get whatever we can in the regions out.”

Originally published as Regional Vic hospitality businesses say the 10-patron cap is unviable