Benjamin Millar
Inner west traders are celebrating the return to business as Melbourne emerges from the lengthy COVID-19 lockdown.
Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay streets have been bustling once more since hospitality venues such as bars and restaurants were permitted to reopen at 11.59pm last Thursday.
Remaining retail outlets and entertainment venues have also been given the green light to begin trading again from 6pm this Friday.
Most indoor settings will be open without caps other than density limits of one person per four square metres and all staff and patrons must be fully vaccinated.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said the chamber stands ready to support businesses in their recovery and reopening journeys.
“Knowing that from Friday every business in the state can trade viably and that regional and metropolitan Victoria will finally be able to reunite means Team Victoria is back,” he said.
“Friday will be a champagne day for business which will then set us up for a spectacular summer.”
Mr Guerra said the reopening paves the way for a business-led recovery for the state.
“To be back on the same page, under the same rules and able to visit some of our favourite places in both regional and metropolitan Victoria again will provide a real boost to both business and morale,” he said.
“While we know there will be challenges and obstacles to overcome as we all get used to this new way of living and working, the Victorian Chamber stands ready to support businesses as they plan and prepare to operate in the new COVID Normal.”
