Restaurants Push Government to Let Them Reopen by June

The federal government is considering a proposal that would allow restaurants to reopen in June, according to a report on Sky News.

The influential Restaurant and Caterers Association, which represents 45,000 cafes, restaurants and caterers around Australia, is behind a proposal that would see hospitality businesses reopen but with rigorous measures in place to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“Customers would be forced to use disposable cutlery and be physically barred from interacting with other tables,” Sky reports, citing the RCA’s proposition. “The government will consider the plan … during its national cabinet meetings.”

Other recommendations within the proposal include: no condiments on tables; laminated menus; sign-ins by every customer that dines at the venue, which would allow the government to trace outbreaks.

There has been no confirmation from the federal government that it intends to allow restaurants to reopen in June. Today the Northern Territory announced it would reopen restaurants, cafes, clubs and bars on May 15.

In late March the federal government closed all restaurants, cafes pubs, bars and nightclubs in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Even though restaurants and cafes have continued to operate on a takeaway basis the nationwide shutdown on dining out has devastated the industry.