Venues across Victoria were set to be allowed up to 50 customers as of this morning, including allowing alcohol to be served without a meal to people seated through table service.
But those changes have been delayed as the state tries to lock down a number of outbreaks and avoid a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Caledonian hotel owner Dave Cunningham said the current restrictions, many of which would now have to be retained, had been a challenge for many venues across Echuca.
“It has been a struggle at times to manage bookings. You sometimes have people who want to stay a bit longer, but you have the next group coming, so hopefully that will ease that issue.
“We've had good numbers for takeaway, our accommodation numbers are recovering and Latte Lane has been going gangbusters.”
Echuca Workers club general manager Erin Langman had already expressed concern about Echuca venues being unable to open their electronic gaming machines, which NSW had already been able to do, saying there was a distinct disadvantage in Victoria.
“It really hurts the finances of Victorian venues,” she said.
“It's grossly unfair that we can't open when others can. Across the bridge you have three or four venues who can operate to virtually full capacity.
“It certainly puts us behind the eight-ball.
“It's stressful. The impact of the spend at the clubs across the river already tells us a lot of people have gone and spent.
“We missed out on that shot in the arm in restarting our business.”
The state government announced on Saturday afternoon that the planned easing of a number of restrictions has been put on hold, while others have tightened — for example the number of visitors allowed in a person's household has been reduced to five.
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