Canberra’s hospitality businesses have worried how they will survive under restrictions on customer numbers once lockdown and government support payments both end this week.

The ACT Government today announced an ‘Outdoor Activation Taskforce’. The bombastic, militaristic name suggests tough armed enforcers – but it’s the catering corps. Its mission is to help traders make better use of their outdoor spaces – but this has met with a mixed reaction from Canberra’s business community, who say they need financial support.

Using outdoor areas means that a business can serve more customers, without being confined to the strict one person per four square metres rule – a restriction Chief Minister Andrew Barr acknowledges is unviable. The taskforce, Mr Barr said today, will help business owners move their customers outside, where there is less risk of COVID-19 transmission.

“Venues will have capacity limits after lockdown ends,” said Tara Cheyne, Minister for Business and Better Regulation.

“Moving to an outdoors setting is the safest and easiest way for businesses like restaurants, cafés, and bars to begin to operate sooner as restrictions gradually ease.”

The initiative will also help Canberra’s economy recover into Christmas and early next year, the Chief Minister said, as part of the ACT’s Pathway Forward.

Ms Cheyne encouraged businesses to register with the taskforce and share their innovative ideas to open up outdoor public space for venues. Applications will be assessed as soon as possible. Businesses can apply online via the Access Canberra website. (More information on outdoor dining can be found at act.gov.au/outdoor-dining.)

John-Paul Romano, chairman of the Inner-South Canberra Business Council, said it was a great concept well received by businesses, but needed to be done promptly.

The Canberra Business Chamber welcomed innovative approaches, and businesses needed government to provide every support available to help them operate safely – but, said president Graham Catt: “There are many businesses who won’t benefit at all from this.”

Anthony Brierley, general manager of the Australian Hotels Association ACT branch, was not impressed.

“At the moment, this announcement is ‘look over there’ politics to give an impression that hospitality businesses are being supported,” he said.

“The ACT Government has announced it has created a cross-directorate taskforce. Nothing more.”

Mr Brierley worries about the future of Canberra’s hospitality sector, affected by what he called the ACT Government’s “crippling restrictions”.

“In four days’ time, all financial support ceases, and hospitality businesses are left unviable for six weeks,” he said.

“Employees are about to lose their COVID-19 Disaster payment, but can’t get their jobs back, because the businesses that employ them aren’t viable.”

Business leaders believe it is essential the government provide clarity and practical solutions as soon as possible.

“The announcement of a taskforce is a good first step, but businesses need real information,” Mr Catt said.

Mr Brierley and Mr Catt each called on the ACT Government to explain what regulations would change, and what opportunities this would create for businesses.

They both want to close roads, laneways, and footpaths, and repurpose parks, carparks, and other spaces to maximise the number of hospitality venues that could reopen and start serving customers.

“Government can take the lead on this, move quickly, and announce some concrete plans, and start engaging with businesses about how to take advantage of them,” Mr Catt said.

Ongoing financial support is also vital to help businesses, they believe. What businesses actually needed was continued funding until December, Mr Romano said. A fortnight ago, Mr Barr said business support would continue after lockdown, in the form of payments and waiving fees and taxes.

“Those same businesses are still eagerly awaiting details on how additional support will be provided for the hospitality venues that simply can’t open and run viably within restrictions in the Pathway Forward,” Mr Catt said.

“The Budget announcements by the Chief Minister included financial support continuing until December, and confirmation of those payments will provide much more support and relief than the announcement of a government taskforce.”

“We haven’t heard a peep about this since,” Mr Brierley agreed. “Tangible solutions and financial support help. The announcement of a taskforce does not.”