Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the state’s roadmap out of lockdown, but it’s received criticism from the hospitality community.
At the current rate, metro Melbourne is slated to emerge from hard lockdown around 26 October once it reaches the 70 per cent double-dose mark.
But pubs, clubs and entertainment venues will only be able to seat 50 vaccinated customers outdoors.
In addition, businesses are limited to density limits of one patron per 4sqm.
Indoor dining will commence once the 80 per cent target is hit (5 November), which will see venues in regional Victoria and metro Melbourne open for 150 vaccinated customers seated inside and 500 outside.
The roadmap has been slammed by industry groups, with a growing number of calls for Victoria’s reopening to match New South Wales’, which sees customer numbers determined by the 4 square metre rule.
“If a venue is required to have vaccinated staff and customers, why are the patron numbers so restrictive? The logic is flawed,” says Danny Canny, President of the Australian Hotels Association Victoria.
Canny has also commented on the platform customers will need to use to enter a premises and prove their vaccination status.
“Pubs and hotels wanted to trial the ‘Pub Pass’ vaccination system even before the state hits 70 per cent double dose,” he said.
The Victorian roadmap is based off modelling from the Burnet Institute, which prioritises vaccinations and physical distancing policies in venues.
The roadmap confirms: “The Service Victoria app will be integrated with a Medicare Certificate that shows proof of vaccination and other proof of vaccination options may also trialled to determine what works best for both businesses and patrons.”