Indoor dining ban could be in place until two weeks of zero community coronavirus transmission
The state government’s lofty community transmission targets could see indoor dining spaces closed for a significant amount of time, resulting in a staggering number of job losses.
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Restaurants and cafes have been warned they could face bans on indoor dining until Victoria records two weeks of zero community transmissions of COVID-19.
The previously secret target has been slammed by Victoria’s biggest restaurant boss, with up to 150,000 jobs predicted to be lost if the target is introduced.
Restaurateur Chris Lucas, CEO of Melbourne’s largest restaurant group Lucas Restaurants, said a senior government minister confirmed to him Victoria was committed to the zero transmissions policy at all costs and that negotiations with the government during the week had been futile.
“What I’m afraid we’re going to get is not a plan to reopen, but a plan for disaster,” Mr Lucas said.
“The industry consultations have been a platform used by the government to basically dictate to us what their plan is for each industry,” Mr Lucas said.
“And while we have raised our genuine concerns they’ve been effectively dismissed.
“The so called plan that they are going around saying that they’re getting industry input from is a lie.”
In the last 14 days there have been 531 community transmission cases in Victoria.
The Herald Sun understands the government is looking to models adopted by international cities, including New York, that has banned indoor dining.
The ongoing restrictions could lead to up to 150,000 job losses, with the Restaurant and Catering Industry of Australia predicting a third of the state’s food industry staff could be affected.
The government is on Saturday finalising plans for its reopening road map following a week of meetings with hundreds of industry groups, union officials and community organisations.
Mr Lucas said negotiations with the government during the week had been futile.
Maintaining zero community transmissions in cities where there have been major outbreaks has proven notoriously difficult across the world.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian described the goal as a “tall order” this week in response to demands from Queensland that NSW eliminate community transmission before reopening borders.
“I don’t know anywhere on the planet where a society could function productively during a pandemic and get an assurance you’re going to (get) zero cases of community transmission,” she said.
Mr Lucas warned the majority of Melbourne restaurants would be unable to survive a ban on indoor dining, with many forced to lay off staff before closing their doors.
He has warned many of the state’s 20,000 small cafes and restaurants will shut down, with estimates 20 to 30 per cent won’t reopen after restrictions are lifted.
“They are locked into a death spiral that will see a lot of us go broke,” he said.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the City of Melbourne would work with cafes, bars and restaurants on plans to safely re-open the city once Stage 4 restrictions ease.
Ms Capp said she would commence discussions with businesses about a refined approach to extended outdoor dining, which would be similar to model used in New York.
“We will be announcing measures to make it easier for businesses to expand their seating onto footpaths and other areas.”
But Mr Lucas said Melbourne wasn’t equipped for outdoor dining.
A Restaurant and Catering Industry of Australian spokesman said urgent support for the industry was needed.
“With some operators not being able to open at all since March, thousands of small restaurant, cafe and catering businesses across Victoria are on the brink of collapse,” he said.
“They need urgent support and while government assistance is welcome, the best way to give them a fighting chance is to let them open as soon as possible.”
WHAT THE OTHER STATES ARE DOING
NSW
Pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes can have a 300-person maximum or one person per 4sq m, whichever is less. Limit of 10 people a booking and less than 10 people per group entering venue. If a pub, club, restaurant or cafe has more than one separate area, each has 300- person maximum or one person per 4sq m, whichever is less.
QUEENSLAND
The maximum number of customers at any one time determined by the 4sq m rule. For smaller venues below 200sq m, businesses can have one person per 2sq m up to 50 persons at a time. Patrons can consume alcohol without food at a table or bar.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Pubs, cafes and restaurants can open but food and beverages must be consumed by patrons seated at tables physically separate from any bar or where orders are taken.
TASMANIA
Maximum of 500 people outdoors and 250 per undivided indoor space across all premises.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
No current seated service requirement or requirement to maintain a patron register at food businesses or licensed premises. Customers don’t have to be seated to be served alcohol.
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