‘We can smile again’: Hospitality workers celebrate eased restrictions

After months of shutdowns, restrictions and staff shortages, Matteo Toffano is happy to finally lose the masks in his hot and steamy kitchen.

Health Minister Martin Foley announced sweeping changes to the state’s COVID-19 rules on Wednesday, including the long-awaited removal of masks for hospitality and retail workers.

“We’ve been through quite a long journey here in hospitality and knowing that we don’t have to wear a mask, especially inside the kitchen, is a game-changer,” the executive chef at King and Godfree in Carlton said.

At 11.59pm on Friday, patrons will no longer have to show their vaccination status at any venue and check-ins will no longer be required.

“We’ll be much happier in this stressful game,” Toffano said.

Restaurant manager Laura Alessi was also excited by the easing of restrictions, saying that she could breathe again.

Matteo Toffano, executive chef at King and Godfree in Carlton, is looking forward to removing his mask and returning to a sense of normality.Credit: Joe Armao

“It’s like a weight lifted off our shoulders ... We can finally smile again. I can wear make-up again,” she said with a laugh.

But it was about more than just comfort. Alessi said staff had faced abuse from customers over the vaccination and check-in requirements.

“People forget their phones and it’s our fault. I’ve had a few staff members quit because of the abuse. I’ve also had a few staff members cry. There’s not much we can do, we’re just following the rules.”

For Alessi, the end of the mandates means fewer hostile encounters and improved staff morale.

CBD restaurant Lee Ho Fook’s owner and head chef, Victor Liong, had mixed feelings about the rule changes.

“I’m glad we’re at the stage where the government feels like we can lift all these restrictions ... But we’re still living in a pandemic,” he said.

“I feel like there needs to be a certain level of caution ... My opinion on this is for collective safety.”

Foley also announced further easing of close contact requirements. Close contacts will no longer have to quarantine, but will have to wear a mask indoors, avoid sensitive settings and record at least five negative rapid tests over the seven days that would have been the self-quarantine period.

Laura Alessi, restaurant manager at King and Godfree, believes the easing of restrictions will mean happier customers and staff. Credit: Joe Armao

Melbourne restaurant owner and chef Scott Pickett said the easing of restrictions was wonderful, citing close contact isolation rules as having been the biggest nightmare for his businesses.

Pickett said that managing the upcoming flu season and high COVID-19 rates would now be a matter of common sense, with staff welcome to “take whatever precaution [they] feel comfortable with”.

“Everybody has just got to be aware of the greater good.”

Melbourne’s retailers shared in the enthusiasm. CEO of the Australian Retailers Association Paul Zahra said the changes were good news for retailers, with close contact rules well past their use-by date.

Zahra said staff shortages resulting from the close contact isolation rules and mask requirements had been sources of enormous frustration for small businesses in particular.

“We’re one of the most vaccinated countries in the world, and into the third year of this pandemic,” Zahra said. “The days of overzealous COVID-19 rules are over.”

Heartattack and Vine barista Casey Skinner agreed.

“We haven’t really had a lot of good news in hospitality recently. We’ve sort of been excluded from all the easing of restrictions up until this point ... Now we can finally get back to doing our jobs as it was intended.”

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