The hospitality industry welcomes regional Victoria's reopening

Restaurant & Catering Australia welcomed Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ announcement that regional Victoria will be able to move to step 3 of the roadmap.

From 11.59PM on Wednesday, September 16, hospitality businesses in regional Victoria were able to serve patrons outdoors, with a cap of 50 seated patrons per venue.

An updated ‘two square metre’ density limit will be put into place.

Under the new guidelines, venues can open with a cap of 10 seated customers per space – with up to two spaces per venue – and in line with the existing ‘four square metre’ density rule.

The announcement was welcome news for regional Victorian businesses, according to R&CA CEO Wes Lambert.

“This is undoubtedly welcome news to the thousands of regional Victorian hospitality businesses who have been under strict lockdowns despite the fact that case numbers have been virtually at zero”, he said.

However, Lambert noted that more is needed to help businesses across Greater Melbourne, who will be subject to strict lockdowns until at least the end of November.

“R&CA will continue to lobby the Andrews Government and the DHHS for indoor dining to be allowed under step 3 rather than outdoor only,” he said.

The industry association believes that allowing limited indoor dining earlier, as has been done for regional Victoria, will save thousands of businesses and jobs across Melbourne. 

R&CA presents the interests of over 45,000 restaurants, cafes and catering businesses in Australia, with the aim of ensuring owners and operators within the hospitality industry remain profitable and sustainable. 

“While support for our sector is welcome, there is only one way to truly support our sector – and that is to get us open sooner”, Lambert said.