COVID outdoor dining measures to end

TEMPORARY expanded outdoor dining measures will come to an end in the City of Greater Bendigo as part of State Government legislation changes in the coming months.

The extended measures have been in place since September 2020 and were brought in to help increase trade for restaurants and cafes impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

The expanded outdoor dining rules will officially end on Thursday 12 October with businesses using car parking space for tables and seating required to go back to footpath dining only, and Bull Street re-opening for two-way traffic and parking.

Municipal director of strategy and growth Steve Hamilton said it was the right time to revert to normal operations.

“There are 14 businesses still making use of expanded outdoor dining, down from 51 businesses at the height of the pandemic,” he said.

“It was critical support to the hospitality industry at the time and allowed businesses to open sooner, trade safely and keep staff employed.

“But as we have learnt to live with COVID, expanded outdoor dining has become less necessary and the legislation that supported it is winding up in October.”

Mr Hamilton said while businesses have been challenged over the last few years, they’ve also had ongoing warnings about the return to pre-COVID outdoor dining rules.

“The City has written to businesses three times this year to remind them of the upcoming changes,” he said.

“We acknowledge the great effort hospitality businesses have gone to over the past few years to adapt to challenging and changing times and thank them for their understanding regarding the change.”