Bass Coast business owners relieved with third step announcement

Bass Coast business owners are relieved that regional Victoria will move to the third step in the road map to reopening from 11.59pm on Wednesday. Here’s what they had to say.

Businesses owners across the Bass Coast can breathe a sigh of relief as regional Victoria move to the third step in the road map to reopening.

Regional Victoria will open up further from 11.59pm on Wednesday with Premier Daniel Andrews saying it was good news for all Victorians, because it proved the strategy of a steady easing of restrictions was working.

Hospitality businesses will be able to have up to 20 people seated inside, spread across two areas.

They will also be able to serve patrons outside, with a cap of 50 seated patrons per venue.

Inverloch’s The Beach Box Cafe owner Rebecca Slavin told The Bass Coast News their customers are excited about the announcement.

“It’s great to be able to move forward and be able to have outdoor seating,” Ms Slavin said.

“I hope it’s not too soon for inside seating but hopefully it all keeps going the way it’s mean’t to be going”.

Ms Slavin said the announcement means their cafe will have to put in a “little more work” to uphold the cleaning procedures.

“There’s a lot of work with crowd control where we have to hold the business up to a standard but I suppose that comes with it”.

The Beach Box Cafe have been serving different takeaway options for months now. Picture: Facebook

Regional Victoria reached a 14-day average of 3.6 and no mystery cases, giving public health experts confidence it could take the next step.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria, there has been no active COVID-19 cases in the Bass Coast since August 28.

There has been a total of 11 COVID-19 cases in the Bass Coast with an estimated residential population of 36,320.

Under the third step, retail will be expanded to allow beauty services and tattooing as long as a mask can be worn.

Wonthaggi’s Revive Beauty and Spa owner Alison said her team is “super excited” to reopen.

“We are feeling confident that we will be a popular choice over the next coming weeks with the backlog of people wanting to get waxing, massages and their nails done,” she said.

“People are really into their wellness at the minute”.

Under the new step, there will be no restrictions on reasons to leave home.

You can meet up to 10 people outdoors and create a household bubble with one nominated household.

Up to five people from that nominated household can then visit you at home with kids under 12 months of age not included in the cap.

You can only choose one household to be in your bubble for as long as regional Victoria remains in the third step.

All businesses across regional Victoria will be forced to have a COVID-safe plan.

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