Following the lifting of the ‘ring of steel’ between Melbourne and regional Victoria as per the Premier’s announcement Sunday, it’s timely to remind our locals, visitors and hospitality businesses of the indoor and outdoor density dining quotas that are in place to keep everyone COVIDSafe.
While Greater Shepparton welcomes the raising of restrictions for people to reconnect socially over breakfast, lunch or dinner, it’s important to note that our hospitality businesses are required to adhere to density requirements to avoid being fined.
So while recent announcements have indicated that hospitality businesses can accommodate up to 40 seated patrons per venue indoors and 70 seated patrons outdoors, there are density requirements that need to be adhered to which means that the number of diners who can be seated may be less than these maximum numbers.
Indoor venues are subjected to density of 1 per 4m2 and a maximum of 10 people per space, where ‘spaces’ can be separated by either temporary structures or at least 5metres between collections of 10 seats. This may mean less customers can be accommodated indoors due to the overall density requirements.
While outdoor seating can accommodate for up to 70 patrons per venue, again there is a density of 1 per 2m2 and maximum groups of 10 persons, hence some hospitality outdoor areas will not be able to cater for the full 70 customer limit that is approved.
Key additional points to note include:
- Venues are only open for seated service.
- Infants under 12 months of age are not included in the limit.
- Diner must be seated so they are 1.5m away from any patron from an adjacent group.
- Customers must wear a face mask, unless consuming food or drink and MUST remember to reapply their mask when getting up from the table such as to pay the bill, go to the toilet or leave the venue.
- It is recommended that you make a booking to ensure that hospitality venues aren’t at risk at exceeding their quotas.
- Remember when you book to give accurate numbers so that the businesses aren’t setting aside seats that won’t be used as this means a loss of income for them.
