Restaurants eager to reopen

Thuan An Vietnamese co-owner Phuong Nguyen. (Damjan Janevski) 206959_01

Tate Papworth

Brimbank residents will soon be allowed to enjoy a meal inside cafes, restaurants and pubs as part of the staged easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

From June 1, up to 20 patrons will be permitted within an enclosed space, providing requirements of one person per four square metres are met.

From June 22, up to 50 patrons will be allowed in venues, which will extend to 100 during the second half of July.

Julie Tran owns the Thuan An Vietnamese restaurant in Sunshine and said she’s eager to start filling tables.

“We’ll have to measure the place out to make sure we can fit them all, but we’re confident we’ll be able to fit 20 people in when restrictions begin to lift, Ms Tran said.

“We’ll have all the appropriate signage, hand sanitizer at the front of the shop and we may even have a designated entrance and exit.

“It also looks like we’ll have to take down customer details when they dine in, so there’s a lot of information that still needs to be released.”

While she’s excited to offer table service once more, Ms Tran said takeaway would still be a high priority.

“I’m glad they started with 20 people and not 10, it just wouldn’t have been cost effective” Ms Tran said.

“We’re still going to do delivery service, which has proven really popular and I suspect a few people might still be a bit iffy on heading out.”

Other places such as public bars and gaming areas will remain closed throughout June, as will restrictions on food courts.

Tate Papworth