SOME Gannawarra residents are enjoying a return to relative normality after regional Victoria progressed to the third step of the State Government’s reopening roadmap on COVID-19 restrictions.
Under the current rules, hospitality venues can reopen for seated service, with 10 patrons in each indoor space (in a maximum of two spaces) and a rule of one person for four square metres.
In outdoor areas, up to 50 people can be seated, subject to a density limit of one person per two square metres and a requirement for tables to be 1.5 metres apart.
Karen Taylor, of Cohuna, and Julie O’Brien, of Lake Meran, were happy to be sitting down to spaghetti together outside Kerang’s Royal Hotel on Friday.
“It’s wonderful,” Ms Taylor said. “So nice to be able to get out and have a normal life again — or as normal as we can get.”
Chino’s on Victoria cafe owner Raelene Hall had not yet reopened to indoor dining, which would require the venue to record all customers’ names and addresses.
“We’re taking baby steps,” Ms Hall said. “We’ll leave it as it is for the school holidays and see how we go.”
Ms Hall said the cafe had been busy in the first two days of reopening.
“It’s good to see people happy to be out and about.”
Local hospitality businesses may be eligible for grants from a new government package announced last week.
The $87.5 million Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package is intended to help businesses transform into safe and practical outdoor eating venues and includes grants of up to $5000 for equipment such as umbrellas and outdoor furniture.
