By Luke Voogt
Geelong’s larger venues are struggling under COVID-19 restrictions despite zero active local cases, with Sphinx Hotel owner George Ramia urging state government to increase patron limits.
“I’ve got a pub that fits 1000 people and a bistro that fits 200, and I’m only allowed to have 20 inside,” he said.
“We should be able to have 50 – that’s one every four square metres.”
Current restrictions allow up to 50 people seated outdoors at venues but Mr Ramia said many customers had cancelled bookings recently because of the weather.
“We’ve got our six-point COVID plan. It would be safe for larger hotels like this one to have 50 patrons inside.
“We’ve been very good in regional Victoria and it was only when Melbourne people started coming [to Geelong] that the case numbers went up.”
The venue reopened a fortnight ago, along with hundreds of cafes and restaurants across Geelong.
The easing of restrictions came just in time for Manoj De Silva, who bought Sri Lankan fusion restaurant Rook in March, weeks before the pandemic hit.
“If we didn’t open again recently, we would not have survived,” Mr De Silva said.
Former owner Yeti Kumbukagem had wanted to sell the business to a Sri Lankan family while keeping the same chefs and quality of food, Mr De Silva said.
The restaurant battled on by serving takeaway and coffee during the lockdowns, and Market Square management halved their rent until the end of December.
Rook is now serving 10 people inside and another 10 outside, and Mr De Silva thanked customers for their words of encouragement.
“It’s been a hard road but we’re very happy to back,” he said.
