Kickstart Victoria: Angry hospitality leaders beg to reopen
Hospitality figures say they are “confused and angry” that the Andrews government will not allow Victorian businesses to reopen while businesses interstate continue to operate — and they are slamming the current roadmap for hospitality as unviable.
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Victorian hospitality figures are “confused and angry” at what they claim is the Andrews government ignoring lessons from interstate that could allow their businesses to reopen.
Wes Lambert, chief executive officer of the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association, said there was a “mismatch” between the state government’s fixation on five cases a day in order to reopen, and the reality of the situation interstate.
“The restaurant and catering industry is confused how there can be such wildly different medical and health recommendations of a 14-day average of five cases or even zero, when NSW — with tracking and tracing and cluster management — was able to have upwards of 300 guests at hospitality businesses,” Mr Lambert said.
In Melbourne, many restaurants and bars used the revenue from warmer months to survive the cooler ones that drew fewer customers, he said.
“They are certain that if hospitality doesn’t open in the next couple of weeks in as close to normal as business was before COVID-19, they will not make it through the low season,” Mr Lambert said.
The Andrews government had quoted foreign studies over the danger of indoor dining, but ignored “factual evidence in their own backyard”.
“They refuse to look at it and accept hospitality can be safe. It’s been proven in neighbouring states it can be safe and you can have a COVID- normal number of cases. We must expect some cases if we are going to have international flights back landing in Melbourne,” he said.
On the day pubs and restaurants reopened in NSW on June 1, the state recorded six new cases of coronavirus. Victoria on Wednesday also recorded six new cases.
Mr Lambert said this only made the mood harden among the industry.
“They’re (business owners) certainly confused and angry, and are demanding answers. What models and advice are they (state government) using, and why aren’t they talking to every chief health officer in the country?”
Australian Venue Company CEO Paul Waterson said hospitality business across the country had returned to pre-pandemic levels — except in Victoria. “We’re doing well everywhere else,” he said.
The current road map target of allowing up to 50 people outside — if adequately socially distanced — from October 19 was unviable for many venues, Mr Waterson said. Sydney was the example that Victoria should follow.
“They (NSW) could have 10 cases a day, including five or seven community transmission, and their pubs stay open while that is happening. Any outbreaks were contained really quickly and they could stay open the whole way through,” he said. “Outbreaks happen. It’s how you respond to them is what matters.”
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Paul Guerra said he had been saying “for weeks” more achievable triggers were needed.
“Hospitality venues can operate safely with COVID-safe plans, social distancing and enhanced hygiene practices in place,” he said.
“This is an industry that is dependent upon food safety, cleanliness and hygiene, we should trust them to operate safely.
“Our global reputation for restaurants, bars and pubs is under threat, and the industry desperately needs to be opened before it’s too late.”
Mr Guerra said the industry had been devastated.
“No Victorian business wants to see a third wave and another lockdown, they will take every precaution to prevent that happening,” he said.
Richard de Dood’s Arco cafe, bar and restaurant in Dandenong could accommodate 150 people outside, but Melbourne’s weather meant that was under constant threat.
“This week the weather had a very cold wind-chill factor, so eating outside is not going to happen, we are in Melbourne,” Mr de Dood said. “I suppose the patrons will be dressed like eskimos or not very comfortable while they try to dine.”
He said the comparison with other states proved there were “different trains of thought” at play.
“It looks like the population in Victoria is having to fix up the misgivings of some of the processes that were put in earlier … the government has to be a bit more practical and flexible in its approach and let us get on with it,” he said.
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