Riva St Kilda to temporarily close its doors after breaching Covid rules

St Kilda venue Riva has decided to shut its doors due to “ambiguous” coronavirus rules after being fined for hosting a 936-person weekend party.

St Kilda venue Riva is closing for a few months until there’s a clearer pathway for staging events.

The popular venue had a permit to hold the weekend’s dance party which was deemed to be in breach of Covid rules. A Riva spokesman said they don’t want to risk further confusion with interpretations of the rules.

“We had a permit but we will shut until the regulations and rules are not open to interpretation. At the moment they are too ambiguous”, the spokesman said.

“There were 936 people in the outdoor marquee with two open sides, and it was deemed to be a Covid breach on the day.

“We have been there 21 years and never been convicted of anything so we’re not there to break the rules.

“We find it terrible that our reputation has been tarnished due to this and it’s very upsetting that the kids who came along may cop a bit of flak because they’re not law breakers.

St Kilda venue Riva is closing for a few months after it breached Covid rules.

The venue hosted 936 partygoers on the weekend.

“There was plenty of opportunity to say don’t open but we didn’t get such notification.

“It’s disappointing for us and the hospitality industry.

“We just hope next time we run an event everyone is on the same page and it’s as successful as all the events we’ve become known for.”

Riva has yet to receive a fine but would comply. Health Minister Martin Foley said he was “very disappointed” to learn of the incident.

Footage from the venue, obtained by the Herald Sun, showed the packed crowd dancing inside the marquee, with no social distancing or masks being worn.

A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed officers were called to reports of a potential breach of chief health officer’s directions at the licensed venue on Saturday night.

A fine of more than $10,000 was to be issued for the Covid breach.

“Let’s make sure we all know what the rules are because the goalposts moved,’’ the Riva spokesman said.

“Covid has been a trying time for all of us and we’re no different, but it doesn’t mean we suddenly want to become a lawless venue.

“There was no dancefloor, there were checklists and we didn’t get cancelled.”