The Canberra Liberals today called on the ACT Government to introduce a flexible, โpracticalโ approach toward reopening hospitality venues across the Territory.
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced that Canberra cafes, restaurants and other hospitality venues will be allowed to seat up to 10 patrons at a time as restrictions are lifted slightly from 11.59pm this Friday 15 May.
โThe ACT Governmentโs announcement that all venues can have just 10 people, whilst itโs a good first step, isnโt particularly reasonable,โ Canberra Liberals Leader Alistair Coe said.
The Opposition Leader argued that many large hospitality venues in the ACT can โeasily and safely accommodateโ many more than 10 patrons.
โI donโt think the one size fits all approach of 10 persons per venue, regardless of the size, really is particularly fair.โ
Mr Coe called for, as a โmatter of urgencyโ, an approach offering different patronage limits based on the size of the venue.
โIt could also be based on the licensed number of people allowed to be at the property, or it could be based on the gross floor area in addition to basic social distancing rules.
โWe donโt need to be rash here, we donโt need to open the floodgates, we can do things in a very measured way that takes into account the individual circumstances of venues.โ
In Outback Queensland, 20 patrons will be allowed at hospitality venues from 11.59pm on 15 May, with a 10-person limit remaining in metropolitan Queensland. Those restrictions will remain in place for four weeks.
From Monday 18 May, hospitality venues with meal service, including within pubs, bars, clubs, hotels and casino in Western Australia will be allowed to seat up to 20 patrons.
Earlier this week, Mr Barr indicated that the ACT Government wonโt be rushing to boost hospitality venue capacity.
โThe next step in the national strategy is that 10 becomes 20, and in four weeksโ time we could well be in that position if things go well over the next three weeks.โ
โWe have a delicate balancing act here between the pace at which we change things, the level of information that the community and businesses are being asked to absorb, and giving sufficient notice of change.
โThe worst thing that could happen is that we unlock too fast and we have to go back into a lockdown. That would be devastating for business,โ said Mr Barr.
The Chief Minister said the impact of changes to restrictions will continue to be monitored daily.
โWe want to see more jobs returning to our economy โฆ in a way that ensures not only can we get more economic activity, back but can do so in a way that doesnโt see our COVID caseload increase.โ
The Hellenic Club today sent an email to members advising that the 10-person limit applies to the entire venue, not each restaurant within the venue.
โOur three family-owned and operated businesses have all agreed that they are going to ride this out together and reopen when we can bring you the entire Hellenic Club experience and offerings,โ they wrote. The clubโs drive-through service will remain open.
