There is confusion in Victoria today as Melbourne heads into Stage Four lockdown, over what this means for bars offering takeaway and delivery services.
Different operators that Bars and Clubs spoke to today were either planning on closing their doors completely, or were expecting to continue offering delivery and takeaway.
The confusion comes, with one document from Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services, stating pubs, taverns, bars, clubs and nightclubs are now closed for on-site work. The same document states cafes and restaurants with a COVID-safe plan can open for takeaway and delivery food services only.
But in the Q&A section of the Department’s Stage Four Restrictions information on its website, the question ‘I live in metropolitan Melbourne – can I still get takeaway food or drink?’ Is answered, ‘Yes, you can still get takeaway food or drink but you can only pick it up if it is within five km from your home’.
Additionally Australian Hotels Association Victoria, has told Bars and Clubs: “It is our firm understanding that pubs and hotels that have restaurants/bistros/cafes as part of their operations are permitted to continue providing take away and home delivery in Stage Four restrictions.”
This would indicate bars offering takeaway and delivery services prior to the lockdown can continue to do so. Bars and Clubs understands that the rules around takeaway and delivery are that takeaway has to be contactless and pre-ordered, and finished before 8pm so people can return home in time
In terms of takeaway, only people within five kilometres of the bar can collect, but that is their responsibility to check.
Bars and Clubs has spoken to one large delivery service who said it believed its drivers would be able to continue to operate within the 8pm to 5am curfew, because they were working. One operator told Bars and Clubs that drivers need to a carry permit and contact details for the venues they are delivering for to confirm they are allowed out after 8pm.
The clarification needs to be made by Government as to which venues can continue takeaway and delivery, and soon.
Just after this story was published, the Victorian Government responded to our enquiries and confirmed the following: “Pubs and bars can continue to provide takeaway food and alcohol services. They must abide by the curfew and can travel beyond the 5km radius provided it is a “reasonable” distance.”
