The Night Time Industries Association’s Check.Check.Check campaign will be extended to launch in Melbourne in order to support consumers and venues as the city reopens.
The campaign has been embraced by the Sydney hospitality community, government and punters alike. Over 100 venues including Bungalow 8, the Lansdowne, Earl’s Juke Joint and Continental Deli have joined the campaign, which promotes good consumer behaviour when going out to keep COVID in check.
Chair of the NTIA, Michael Rodrigues said: “At long last Victoria is opening up and locals who have suffered a long lockdown can enjoy hospitality again. But we need to make sure that punters and venues are protected as things start to open up again. This means stopping any missteps such as we saw in early July here in Sydney which was what prompted us to launch the Check.Check.Check campaign. It’s a partnership this – both venues and punters need to learn new behaviours and embrace them fast.”
The expansion of the Check.Check.Check campaign into Victorian has been made possible with funding from Spirts and Cocktails Australia and CEO Greg Holland said: “We know Victorians have been doing it tough; they thoroughly deserve to get out now and enjoy their state’s iconic venues.
“Check.Check.Check will help them stay COVID-safe as they do that, which is why we’re proud to support this excellent campaign. The hospitality sector plays a vital role within our communities and our economy as a whole, and by staying COVID-safe, we can help it rebuild and keep our venues open.”
Paul Waterson CEO of Australian Venue Co welcomed the campaign’s launch in Melbourne, saying: “The campaign has made a big difference in Sydney with punter behaviour at check-in noticeably better. People understand that they need to follow COVID rules to keep themselves safe and venues open – and this campaign has helped to bring home that message.
“As we welcome back patrons in Melbourne, it’s vital that people here follow the same pattern”.
Andy Mullins, director of Sand Hill Road Group said: “The second lockdown has been really tough on individuals and businesses alike, and we need to make 100 per cent sure that we never have to go back to those measures.
“That’s why this campaign is so important. We need the public onside to keep checking in, checking their hands and checking on their mates. Then we can keep Melbourne open for good”.
Alejandro Saravia, Executive Chef of Farmer’s Daughters and Pastuso said: “The next few months are critical for Melbourne’s industry. I am 100 per cent behind this campaign to remind our customers, the community and ourselves that we need to follow the COVID safe rules to ensure the ongoing rejuvenation of our sector. We want to be able to welcome Melburnians to experience our new venue Farmer’s Daughters, so it’s very important everyone remembers to check they are doing the right thing.”
The move comes as trading restrictions for Victoria’s hospitality venues are further eased, with Premier Daniel Andrews announcing new measures which started on Sunday and more which come into place from 22 November.
The boundary between Melbourne and regional Victoria has now been removed and the 25-kilometre travel restrictions is also no longer in place. Andrews also said that the rules which currently apply to regional Victoria will now apply to the whole state, with Victoria today recording its 11th straight day of no new COVID-19 cases and no deaths.
“Nothing about this year has been easy,” the Premier said. “But the hardest thing of all has been missing the people we love most. Those things we didn’t even know we’d miss – until we realised just how precious they really were. But we did it. Because staying apart meant keeping each other safe.
“Today, because of that sacrifice, our state can be whole again.”
He added: “There’ll be changes for Melbourne. Restaurants, pubs and cafes will be able to host up to 40 customers indoors and 70 outdoors.”
There are also changes for venues operating electronic gaming, with the new rules stating: “Electronic gaming to equivalent of indoor hospitality limit of 40 patrons or up to 10 patrons per venue per electronic gaming room. Additional COVIDSafe requirements apply.”
Victoria’s nightclubs and karaoke bars will remain closed.
From 22 November – and in line with the public health advice – Victoria is on track to reach the Last Step in its roadmap towards reopening.
This will see hospitality venues able to have up to 100 people indoors and 200 outside. The electronic gaming rules will also change with group limits of 20 and venue caps of 100, with a density quotient of one person per four square metres. There will be no change to nightclubs and karaoke bars from 22 November.
Andrews also called on Victorians to continue the good work in keeping the state COVID-safe.
“By now everyone knows the drill when it comes to keeping safe – so I won’t waste words, he said. “But I will say this: We have worked so hard. We have given up so much. And together, we’ve come so far. We’ve got to protect it.
“So, let’s stay safe, stay open – and keep going.”
