Liz Bell
REGIONAL businesses have welcomed the opportunity to relax their COVID safe settings from Friday, but the state government’s blanket approach to enforcing restrictions across Victoria has left a sour taste for some.
On Tuesday, acting Premier James Merlino and Health Minister Martin Foley announced following reduced exposure risk and low community transmission, new COVID safe settings would be implemented this week.
The new rules mean that from 6pm Friday night mask wearing will no longer be mandatory in retail or hospitality venues, and there will be an increase in the number of people allowed in live music venues, cafés and other settings.
Victorians will still need to carry a mask with them at all times and wear them on public transport, in ride share vehicles and taxis, and in sensitive settings such as aged care facilities and hospitals.
Victorians will also be able to host up to 100 people in their homes per day, and density limits will be lifted in venues still operating under more restrictive settings, like casinos, karaoke venues and nightclubs, moving from one person per four square metres to one person per two square metres. This is in line with cafés, pubs and restaurants.
But understandably, the restrictions are still a sore point for many Gippsland businesses in a region largely untouched by the virus in the past 12 months.
Terry Watt from the Avon Hotel in Stratford said the relaxing of the rules would potentially help the pub get back to “something like normal” and would be a good kickstart for the its new monthly karaoke night, and for the forthcoming Easter Sunday afternoon of blues music.
But he is also angry the state government’s heavy-handed approach of enforcing restrictions across regional Victoria had caused hardship for some businesses.
“Look, it’s good of course because it means we are getting closer to normal, but I just can’t see why regional Victoria is facing any restrictions at all,” he said.
“We have been lucky and our customers and the bank have been supportive, but some businesses have not been so lucky, and that, I think, has been unnecessary.”
In line with the easing of restrictions today, more people will also be allowed in indoor non-seated entertainment venues, with an increase from 50 per cent to 75 per cent capacity however, the limit of 1000 people per space remains.
Live at the Bundy co-founder Brett Glover said he and business partner Paul Versteden were “one step closer to where we want to be” on the eve of Saturday’s 100th show milestone.
“We have had three shows since we did major renovations in December, and finally, now that numbers can increase, we can start putting on shows without making a loss,” he said.
“We haven’t wanted to walk away from this or the people who support and work with us, but the restrictions have certainly put the pressure on us.”
Mr Glover said with crowds at 75 per cent capacity from Friday, he could open up for tickets for Saturday’s performance by Shaun Kirk, which had a waiting list.
In line with increasing capacity in venues, dance floors will move to the same density limit of the venue and the 50 patron cap will also be removed.
There will no longer be limits on class sizes for outdoor and indoor physical recreation or fitness classes – and unstaffed gyms will be moving from a density limit of one person to eight square metres to one person per four square metres.
Outdoor gatherings in public places like beaches and parks can also increase to 200 people.
In a boost for the economy, the 75 per cent cap on private and public offices workers will also be removed, which coincides with a revised flexible work policy for the Victorian public service.
While all workplaces are still required to ensure people can work from the office in a COVID safe way – with a density limit of one person per two square metres – they will no longer be required to permit workers to work from home.
In further good news for AFL fans and following a successful first round, crowds will now be able to increase to 75 per cent for round two.
Mr Merlino said the risk was far from over, but thanked the incredible work of all Victorians.
“We’re continuing to open up and see the Victoria we all love, return to life again,” he said.
“More Victorians back at work means more people supporting their local cafés, restaurants and live music venues – boosting the economy where it’s needed most.”
Health Minister Martin Foley said the changes were another positive step in Victoria’s social and economic recovery. “… but also a reminder that now is not the time to be complacent – we must continue to keep each other safe, so we can stay open,” he added.
For more information about the new coronavirus settings, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
