Two Indian restaurants in Melbourne do a turnaround; will now wait till Wednesday to reopen in a ‘COVIDSafe’ manner

Two Indian restaurants who were to reopen their restaurant for dine-in on Monday despite COVID-19 related restrictions in place will now wait till Wednesday after Victorian Premier gave a green light to businesses to reopen.

Honest restaurant and Lala's Kitchen

Honest restaurant and Lala's Kitchen Source: Supplied by Honest restaurant and Lala's Kitchen

Highlights
  • Honest restaurant and Lala’s Kitchen will now offer dine-in from Wednesday
  • Restaurants, cafes and pubs to reopen on Oct 28
  • Limits of up to 20 indoor and 50 outdoor apply
Honest restaurant in Dandenong and Lala’s Kitchen in Boronia will hold off reopening their dine-in service till Wednesday in line Premier’s announcement, the owners have told SBS Hindi.

Sweta Patel, owner of Lala’s Kitchen in Boronia and Minid Patel, owner of Honest restaurant in Dandenong said last week they were reopening their dine-in service on Monday despite lockdown rules.
Both business owners claimed their business had suffered massive losses due to lockdown and they couldn’t wait any longer.

But they did a turnaround on Monday noon after Daniel Andrews’ gave a green light to businesses to reopen from Wednesday.
“Under the Third Step, and from 11:59 pm on Tuesday, Melbourne will move from “stay home” to “stay safe”, with no more restrictions on the reasons to leave home,” Mr Andrews announced.

“Under the Third Step, Melbourne’s cafes, restaurants and pubs can reopen.  Outdoors with a limit of up to 50, indoors up to 20. Density limits, record keeping and COVIDSafe Plans also apply.

“Remaining retail will also open. Beauty and personal care services can resume. And for those businesses who need to get ready for their reopening – staff will be able to attend onsite straight away,” he said.

The restaurant owners have welcomed the announcement and will now reopen their dine-in services on Wednesday.

“It is a big relief. I am glad he [Daniel Andrews] has given a clear cut date and I am happy to wait for another 48 hours to reopen,” Mr Patel told SBS Hindi.

“We are now working towards putting an hourly-based dine-in system in place which will be COVIDSafe and allow us to serve our customers who have waited so long,” he said.

Ms Patel was thrilled with the announcement.

“Cannot describe my feelings! Finally, we are free to work,” she told SBS Hindi.

“Mr Daniel Andrews has now given us a clear pathway. We do understand the importance of community health and safety.  So, we have decided to wait till Wednesday to open for dine-in service,” Ms Patel said.
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3 min read
Published 26 October 2020 4:53pm
By Mosiqi Acharya

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