Highlights
- Two Indian restaurants to defy lockdown rules
- Honest Restaurant in Dandenong and Lala’s Kitchen in Boronia to open dine-in on Monday
- The state government has announced dine-in to be allowed from November 1
Honest Restaurant in Dandenong will open its dine-in facility for customers from October 26 against Melbourne’s lockdown rules, the owner of the restaurant has said.
“We are in pain. We have lost a lot of money. Our staff needs work and we can’t wait. So we have decided to open our restaurant,” Mr Minid Patel, one of the owners of the restaurant told SBS Hindi.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced food and drink facilities will open for indoor (maximum 20 people) and outdoor (maximum 50 people) service subject to COVIDSafe requirements from November 1.
But Mr Patel is not willing to wait one more week.
“We opened this restaurant in January this year. So our staff which is mainly international students is not eligible for Jobseeker or JobKeeper allowance. They badly need work and money.
“We had to completely shut down our business due to 5 km rule and curfew as there was barely any business.
“We can't afford to keep it shut any longer. We are in pain. We have lost a lot of money. We don’t want to defy the rules but we have no choice,” Mr Patel said.
Another Indian restaurant in Boronia, popular for its Gujarati food catering within the community, Lala’s Kitchen too plans to defy the lockdown and open on Monday.
Its owner, Sweta Patel says their place has been shut since the second wave in the state and they can't afford it any longer.
“I need to pay for the staff. I need to earn to keep this place,” she told SBS Hindi.
Both owners believe it is time small business owners ‘raise their voices’ against this long-lockdown.
“We have received the support of a lot of people from the community but not everyone wants to raise their voice. It is time to speak up,” she says.
The restaurant owners' decision to open early goes against Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews' plan of slowly reopening the state for business.
Premier of Victoria - Daniel Andrews Source: AAP Image/James Ross
On Sunday, the Premier announced further easing of restrictions where he extended the 5 km limit to 25 km in Metropolitan Melbourne.
At the same time, tennis courts, skate parks, outdoor pools, golf clubs, and hairdressers have been permitted to reopen while retail, personal care, and hospitality businesses such as restaurants and cafes will be allowed to reopen on November 2.
"I have announced today what is safe but will not undermine the sacrifice, the hard work, the pain, the amazing efforts that Victorians have put in," he said on Sunday.
You cannot run, you cannot sprint to COVID normal. You have to do this in a measured, steady and safe way.
The Premier has said those who defy the current directives face heavy fines.
Currently, the State of Emergency and the State of Disaster in Victoria allows Victoria Police to issue on the spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses for refusing or failing to comply with the emergency directions.
‘Fines of up to $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses are possible through the court system,’ the Victorian government’s coronavirus portal .
Both the restaurant owners are aware they could be fined thousands for failing to comply with the directive.
“We know but we will contest it. We don’t have the money,” Mr Patel said.
Ms Patel said she will contest it too. “I have to fight,” she says.
“I am not denying the fact [that the virus exists] but the government needs to understand it is not going anywhere. We need to open up in a COVIDSafe manner,” Mr Patel said.
‘Government assurances and grants not enough’
Both business owners have said the government plan for re-opening restaurants, which includes outdoor seating, is not feasible for every business.
“You know the Melbourne weather. It is windy, it rains often. There are barely a handful of days one can sit outside. Plus there is waterworks going on outside our restaurant. Where can I set the tables?” Ms Patel said.
Mr Patel says the government’s grant of $5000 to invest in outdoor seating is not enough.
“I applied three weeks ago but I haven’t heard back. Also, we need to invest in umbrellas, heaters and safety rails. $5000 is not nearly enough. It takes anywhere between $22,000 to $25,000,” Mr Patel said.
'Everyone must adhere to the directions,' says Victoria Police and Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services has said people must stay the course.
A DHHS spokesperson told SBS Hindi, "We understand everyone is making huge sacrifices and this year has been very challenging for the hospitality industry, but this strategy is working, and we are driving cases down.
"It is important that we stay the course and re-open when it is safe guided by advice from the Chief Health Officer, data as well as interstate and international evidence.
"Currently in metropolitan Melbourne, cafés and restaurants are open for take-away and delivery only but soon under the Third Step they will be able to re-open for seated dining – subject to customer and density requirements and cleaning protocols."
Victoria Police told SBS Hindi that they will not hesitate to enforce the Chief Health Officer’s directions to protect the entire community.
“It is integral that every Victorian adheres to the directions of the Chief Health Officer, which are in place to protect the health and safety of the entire community,” Victoria Police spokesperson told SBS Hindi.
“We understand this is a difficult time for many people, however, Victoria Police will have no hesitation enforcing deliberate and blatant breaches of the CHOs directions.”
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: , , , , , ,
