By Jessica Micallef
Dining out is back on the menu as Victoria begins to reopen after more than two months of lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Sunbury and Macedon Ranges residents can now return to their favourite restaurant, cafe or pub – and restaurant owner Praveen Vegunta couldn’t be more excited.
Mr Vegunta’s American-style waffle house Nutbug has been restricted to takeaway only and operating on reduced hours and staff since lockdown was imposed in March.
“We are very excited at the moment,” he said last week.
“At least now we can see the community who have missed out on dining. Now they can come in.
“It hasn’t been the best time for us … We had to cut down our staff and we had to cut down the supplies.
“Sales have also gone down.”
But the restaurant owner is finally seeing the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
From yesterday, cafes, restaurants and pubs can seat up to 20 patrons for dine-in service while adhering to strict social distancing restrictions.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the number of patrons could be lifted to 50 by June 22 and up to 100 by the second half of July.
Mr Vegunta said he would be able to host up to 12 diners at a time, each with a two-hour time limit. Takeaway will also still be available.
“We are doing four tables at the moment. One is a community table, it’s a big one. And the others are two-seaters. We have to maintain that distance of 1.5 metres.
“We have outside dining as well where we can sit six people which will help us.”
Every staff member will have their temperature checked before starting their shift and contact information of all customers will be recorded.
“It will be a tougher task than what we are used to,” Mr Vegunta said.
“There will be more hygiene processes, which is better for everyone.”
Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment are also re-opening in line with a relaxation of restrictions.
Indoor pools are likely to reopen this month with no more than 20 people per venue and up to three patrons per lap lane.
Modifications will be in place in all indoor and outdoor fitness, aquatic and leisure facilities to ensure customer and staff safety.
Council’s are expected to reopen other community facilities later this month
To keep up to date on the council’s service changes and closures visits mrsc.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
