By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Dandenong restauranteur will no longer defy Chief Health Officer directions after an accelerated easing of restrictions was announced this afternoon (26 October).
Minid Patel had been prepared to wear a $9913 fine for opening dine-in tables at his Honest Restaurant in Lonsdale Street from 5pm tonight.
“I will not jeopardise the hard work of all Victorians and the sacrifice of all those who have lost a loved one.
“In the end it was the whole of Victoria that was suffering.
“I am going to have a good sleep tonight.”
Premier Daniel Andrews today announced that from Wednesday 28 October all restaurants, cafes and pubs could re-open for a limited number of dine-in customers as part of Step 3 of easing restrictions.
Remaining retail and beauty services will reopen. The 25-kilometre limit remains.
The new steps came after Victoria recorded its first day of zero new Covid infections since 9 June.
“As we take these steady steps towards reopening, the message remains the same: please, stay safe,” Mr Andrews said.
“And if you have symptoms, you must get tested.”
Honest Restaurant will be able to host up to 20 patrons at a time from 5pm on 28 October. A fortnight later it can serve up to 40 diners in a sitting.
