Bendigo hotel owner floored by ‘mindboggling’ easing of restrictions

A Bendigo hotel owner says he was “on the floor” when he heard about the restriction easing which will apply in regional Victoria from Friday.

Under the new rules for regional Victoria (except Shepparton), restaurants, cafes, pubs and other hospitality operators can open to 10 patrons inside and 20 patrons outside.

Owner of Bendigo’s Shamrock Hotel, Ray Sharawara, says it’s “mindboggling”.

“I just cannot believe that someone would come up with these numbers,” he told Ross & Russel.

“I honestly thought, with 10 inside and 20 outside, they’d missed a zero on each of them.”

Mr Sharawara’s pub can usually cater to “well over 600” people.

“I don’t know how we’re going to police it. It’s just going to be a bun fight,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Mr Sharawara’s reaction to the new hospitality rules in regional Victoria

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