Food festival but no fireworks and banned greetings for Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve

Everything changed in 2020 so it’s no surprise Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve celebrations will look different — but they come with a warning.

No midnight kisses or hugs with old friends, no fireworks and toned-down celebrations will make New Year’s Eve in Melbourne a whole new ­experience.

Revellers have even been asked to stay away from Melbourne’s CBD.

As Victoria recorded its 60th day of no community transmission of coronavirus, Acting Premier Jacinta Allan said the advice was for people to avoid the city.

Ms Allan said only people with bookings at hospitality venues should head to the city.

She said people would not face fines or police action, but urged revellers to use common sense when making arrangements for New Year’s Eve.

“The only people allowed into the CBD over the New Year’s Eve period are those who already have a booking at a hospitality venue,” she said.

“Do not go out and celebrate New Year’s Eve if you have symptoms, because it is only going to contribute to the spread of the virus.’’

Victorian revellers were also advised to carry hand sanitiser to parties to help stop any COVID spread.

Celebratory kissing with close contacts was allowed but kissing people who were not family members was discouraged under health department directions.

A food festival will be held across the CBD to replace the cancelled fireworks display.

New Year Street Feasts has 52 restaurants offering alfresco drinking and dining across 11 CBD precincts on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Andrea Papadakis and Alberto Fava of Tipo 00 pasta restaurant, has released new outdoor dining tickets as part of New Year Street Feasts. Picture: Nicki Connolly

The forecast for Thursday is partly cloudy and 23C, but Anthea Loucas Bosha, chief executive of Food and Wine Victoria said venues were prepared for changeable weather and were COVID-compliant.

“It’s a great initiative by the city in lieu of the fireworks,” she said. “The vendors have all gone out of their way to create something unique.’’

More than 5000 of the 7500 available seats have already been booked. Bookings are essential through the Melbourne Food and Wind website.

Andreas Papadakis, owner of Melbourne pasta institution Tipo 00, has added new tables to his offering on Thursday night thanks to converted parking spaces in front of his Little Bourke Street restaurant.

“This New Year’s Eve will be a celebration and ending the year on a very good note and putting the past behind us,’’ Mr Papadakis said.

Some roads will be closed across the CBD and Southbank to enable the extended outdoor dining.

Trains, trams and buses will be free from 6pm on New Year’s Eve until 6am.

Public transport will continue all night across the network on New Year’s Eve but because of the lack of fireworks, the service after midnight is limited, PTV says.

The COVID-safe advice allows for up to 30 visitors to your home but no limit applies on the number of households those people come from.

Front and backyards are considered to be part of the home. Similarly, up to 100 people can meet outdoors in a public place.

A council spokeswoman said alcohol consumption, and the possession of unsealed ­alcohol, was prohibited in the CBD 365 days of the year.

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