Call for reinstatement of density limits for regional venues

THE Victorian Government has been urged to reinstate density limits, not patron caps, for the safe reopening of regional hospitality venues.

Shadow Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Steph Ryan said the move would relieve growing confusion and frustration at the Victorian Government’s chaotic COVID response.

Ms Ryan said regional small businesses were gutted after Premier Daniel Andrews imposed unworkably low patron limits in the latest round of “eased” regional restrictions.

She said venues that are licensed to seat hundreds of diners are now limited to just 10 inside and 20 outside, regardless of their physical size.

“This is the eighth set of rules for hospitality businesses, who have again had the rug pulled out from underneath them,” Ms Ryan said.

“Yo-yoing in and out of lockdown is already squeezing the life out of regional businesses,” she said.

“Pubs, clubs and restaurants had hoped for a sensible easing of restrictions to return to density limits of one person per four square metres, not draconian patron limits so low it’s stopped most venues from reopening.

“Victoria is expected to reach its 70 per cent first dose vaccination target later this week and Daniel Andrews promised our contribution would bring us some certainty.”

Ms Ryan said the government must deliver a plan that gives businesses and their staff certainty and allows them to plan for the future.

“This must include a return to density limits, not patron caps, as part of a COVIDSafe plan for reopening in an environment with low case numbers and a high vaccination rate,” she said.

“For every day the Andrews Labor Government fails to let regional businesses open profitably, we’ll see more of our businesses failing to survive.

“What regional Victoria needs is a plan for recovery, not a fake lifting of restrictions that stops too many businesses and workers from building a post-COVID future.”