Pubs raise a glass to easing of restrictions
SOME of the Geelong region’s biggest pubs will reopen their doors — and beer taps — because of the latest relaxation to coronavirus restrictions.
Publicans, patrons and hospitality workers toasted the new rules announced yesterday, but were hoping there would be further adjustments in the weeks ahead.
The move into stage 2B restrictions will take effect from next Monday, allowing hundreds of Geelong hospitality workers to get their jobs back.
Under the revised rules, hotels, cafes and restaurants will be able to seat 50 people in a room (up from 20), so long as they maintain a limit of one person per 4sq m.
The requirement for all patrons to order a meal will be abolished, but ordering at the bar will remain off limits with table service enforced.
The changes were enough to convince Joel Taylor to reopen the Grovedale, Torquay and Barwon Heads hotels.
“The fact people will be able to come in for a beer or a glass of wine (without a meal) is important. After all that’s what our pubs are mostly about; that sense of a community meeting place,” Mr Taylor said.
Although some pubs and eateries reopened a fortnight ago, he said the limits meant it was not worth his while to open his large venues.
He said it was encouraging to hear Premier Daniel Andrews say yesterday that authorities were considering allowing more people per square metre.
“One person per 2sq m would make it more viable,” Mr Taylor said.
“It’s so sparse (under the current rules). You’re operating at 25 per cent of your capacity, so you’re not making any money, and that would apply to a lot of venues.”
About 100 workers at his three pubs will get their jobs back when the pubs reopen.
While many of his full-time and long-term staff qualified for the Federal Government’s JobKeeper allowance, Mr Taylor said some of his workers did not, and were itching to return to duties.
His venues will open this week — Barwon Heads tomorrow, Grovedale on Wednesday and Torquay on Thursday — operating for a few days under stage 2A restrictions, before shifting to 2B next Monday.
Patrons will still be required to provide their contact details when entering venues in case contact tracing is required.
The increased limits that come in effect on June 22 will also apply to galleries, museums, amusement parks, libraries, community centres, halls, cinemas, concert venues, theatres and auditoriums.
THE FACT PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO COME IN FOR A BEER OR A GLASS OF WINE (WITHOUT ORDERING A MEAL) IS IMPORTANT. AFTER ALL THAT’S WHAT OUR PUBS ARE MOSTLY ABOUT; THAT SENSE OF A COMMUNITY MEETING PLACE.” HOTELS OWNER JOEL TAYLOR