Fears grow that half of Victorian pubs may not survive ‘crippling’ restrictions

The Australian Hotels Association wants health authorities to help pubs to safely allow for more patrons amid fears half the pubs in Victoria could be forced to shut if coronavirus restrictions are not eased more quickly.

Up to half the pubs in Victoria could go out of business if “unviable” coronavirus restrictions are not eased, the industry says.

The Australian Hotels Association says blanket restrictions on pubs and hotels are forcing the industry to a point of no return, with many businesses facing full-time closure.

“Pubs are open, but they’re open in a really restricted way that makes it unviable,” chief Paddy O’Sullivan says.

“We fear there will be pub closures — up to half the pubs — if the current restrictions are not eased in a more rapid time frame.”

The AHA is asking that the one person per every four square metre rule be dropped to every two square metres in pubs.

Mr O’Sullivan and the AHA are calling for health authorities to meet to discuss “solutions as to how pubs can operate safely” at larger capacities.

A key change the group is asking for is that the one person per 4sq m rule be dropped to 2sq m. This would give publicans, especially those with smaller or separated bar areas, more capacity.

David Canny, the AMA’s Victorian president, said country pubs had been hardest hit.

“We’re really concerned about regional pubs and when you have some of those pubs in bushfire-affected areas — they’re really struggling,” he said. “Some of these areas haven’t had a COVID case and they’re being shut down on the same rules as Melbourne.”

Mr Canny said border towns were particularly frustrated, with would-be patrons instead dining at pubs in neighbouring states where restrictions were softer.

“It would be a shame if this was the death knock for them,” he said.

Border towns are particularly frustrated, with would-be patrons instead dining at pubs in neighbouring states where restrictions are less. Picture: Ian Currie

Fourth-generation publican Nick Murray, who owns the Exchange Hotel in Horsham, said the rules were “crippling”.

“It’s been trying,” he said.

“We’re running at 25 per cent of our normal safe operating capacity.

“Like most older-style pubs, we’re limited in terms of having smaller bar areas — and it’s just not financially viable.”

Mr Murray has had to stand down 22 staff members and is operating on restricted hours, which he said was “crazy” given there had been only a few cases of coronavirus in the area.

Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Annaliese van Diemen urged the industry and its patrons to continue abiding by the rules.

“We are not doing this to make people‘s lives difficult, we are doing

this to keep the pandemic at bay,” she said.

“It is not fun for any of us, we don’t enjoy doing it.

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