Ballarat hospitality is open for business
Ballarat and other regional communities across the state took the third step along the roadmap to COVID Normal today.
Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle joined with CEO of Committee for Ballarat, Michael Poulton to enjoy the offerings at Ballarat restaurant Pancho Latino.
Ms Addison said, “while many Ballarat hospitality businesses have been significantly impacted due to closures required by the COVID restrictions, moving to Step 3 means that the community can now get out and about and support our local businesses as our economy reopens in a careful, cautious and COVID safe way.”
With the COVID pandemic closing off international and interstate tourism, and restrictions keeping Melbourne visitors away, is up to our community to get behind our local eateries and ensure their survival.
The 14-day average in regional Victoria today is 2.9, including 1 case with an unknown source. These numbers were the trigger for regional Victoria to progress a step along the reopening roadmap, which includes hospitality reopening to sit down customers.
Ms Settle said, “our move to step 3 is a testament to the determination of regional communities to stay the course and drive numbers down.”
Indoor service venues can now open with a cap of 10 seated patrons per space, subject to density requirements of 1 per 4m2, with a maximum of 20 people over two spaces per venue. Outdoor service venues will have a cap of 50 seated patrons per venue, subject to density requirements of 1 per 2m2.
More customers can be seated outdoors and there are different density requirements because the risk of transmission outdoors is lower.
Only table service will be allowed and there will be a 2-hour time limit for patrons. Groups are limited to 10 patrons. Tables must be cleaned after every customer and the details of all patrons must be kept.
To help support hospitality businesses the Victorian Government has announced a $58 million package of grants of up to $5,000 to help hospitality businesses pay for the practical things that will make this plan work – umbrellas, outdoor furniture, screens and other equipment.
Eligible types of hospitality businesses include cafes, restaurants, takeaway food businesses, pubs, taverns, bars (incl. winery/brewery) or clubs. The program will not be restricted to businesses on JobKeeper and will include licensed and unlicensed hospitality businesses.
The program also includes $29.5 million for grants of up to $500,000 per metro and regional city council, and $250,000 per rural council, to deliver reduced or waived permit fees, or invest in new infrastructure and equipment to support outdoor dining
For more details on the roadmap visit: vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-reopening-roadmap-regional- victoria and to apply for the grants visit www.business.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison
“We want to congratulate local businesses for their innovation and resilience throughout the lockdowns.”
“Now is time to shop in Ballarat, eat out in Ballarat and have a beer or your favourite beverage in Ballarat. Our dining out options are diverse, delicious and will not disappoint; from a counter tea to top end culinary delights, we have it all right here in Ballarat.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle
“Let’s all head out to our favourite restaurant, pub or visit a local winery as reward for our efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus.”
“I encourage local hospitality businesses take advantage of the up to $5,000 grants to help them set up new outdoor areas in time for the warmer months.”
Quote attributable to owner of Pancho José Fernandez
“Delivery has kept us going through the lockdown and our customers have really supported us. But dining at Pancho is an experience. We can’t wait to welcome our customers back for the complete South American dining experience with food and drink, music and colour.”
Quote attributable to CEO of Committee for Ballarat Michael Poulton
“This gives us a unique opportunity to re-imagine our streetscape and the way we move around our city. Let’s identify areas where we can reclaim some space taken by car parks and roads and replace them with pop-ups and activity that will excite the community to come out, gather together safely, laugh and live.”