Prahran nightclub Love Machine has been slapped with over $10,000 worth of fines for breaching health orders in Victoria.
The club hosted an event on Saturday night which was attended by approximately 50 people. It’s also believed the event was live-streamed online.
The Age reports officers from Victoria Police’s liquor licensing unit attended the premises on Saturday night and revisited the site on Monday to request surveillance footage.
The event has turned out to be a costly exercise for the venue, with Victoria Police confirming the director of the venue’s licensee company will receive a $9,913 fine.
The director will receive an additional $991 fine for breaching the venue’s liquor license conditions.
Meanwhile, Victoria will loosen venue restrictions on 22 June, with 50 patrons allowed and customers able to order alcohol without food.
However, social distancing requirements of 4sqm per person must be enforced and contact details of customers should be recorded.
From 22 June onwards, nightclubs may open for up to 50 seated customers per space with maximum group numbers totalling 20, subject to the four square metre rule.
“As we open up the hospitality industry to greater numbers, we are still recommending the density quota to apply, we still want appropriate distancing between tables, we want people’s details to be recorded,” said Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton.
“So that if … there is a case identified as having been to a restaurant or cafe, or elsewhere, pubs or clubs, we will be able to follow up those close contacts.”
Image credit: Love Machine Melbourne