Thursday, 16 September 2021

Polwarth electorate

Mr RIORDAN (Polwarth) (6023)

My question is to the Minister for Health. Can the minister tell the long-suffering hospitality businesses in Polwarth, which includes the Otways and Great Ocean Road region when opening and operating directions under the current state of emergency will reflect the health advice that other businesses get to operate under. The hospitality businesses in regional Victoria are now expected to trade with highly restricted trading rules that are so prohibitive most are unable to trade. It is not possible for most hospitality to operate with only 10 people inside.

At the same time supermarkets and liquor stores are able to trade with no restrictions on numbers or throughput. The minister has had 18 months to understand the health advice. It is now clear about the need for some density limits, but the hospitality industry has demonstrated throughout the numerous lockdowns that they can operate safely, and still work safely with a density limit of 1 to 2 square metres.

I call on the minister to immediately review the 10 inside, no matter the size of venue and the 20 outside no matter the size of the venue.

We cannot allow the COVID pandemic to lead to an economic pandemic.