Hospitality venues are anticipating an increase in business following the state government's announcement of its 'COVIDSafe Summer' restrictions on Sunday, December 6.
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Density limits will no longer apply to small operations if the patron number is under 25.
Ararat's S.E.D.E Cafe will be among the businesses to profit from this new rule.
Cafe manager Bishal Khanal said he was pleased to be able to welcome in more customers.
"It definitely improves things for us," he said.
"Prior to these restrictions we were only able to have 12 people inside, now it's more than double, it's kind of normal for us now."
Hotel Rex manager Hayden Crawford said he was pleased with the new restrictions and hoped people embraced their new liberties.
"It'll free us up now to be operating more like normal," he said.
"We're just hoping we get the same support as what it was before the pandemic. Some people are still a bit standoffish about going out, and I don't blame them either.
"We had a good week last week though, so things seem to be on the turn."
Greater Ararat Business Network president Maria Whitford said smaller businesses would significantly benefit from the changes.
"It's a relief to hear that they will get up to 25 (patrons) regardless of their square meterage," she said.
"It's a great result for some of the smaller cafes and restaurants in town."
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews stated larger venues would also be able to serve more customers.
"Density limits in our pubs, restaurants and cafes will shift to one person per 2 square metres for both indoors and outdoors with no other cap," he said.
"The use of electronic record keeping - a QR code - will be mandatory."
Premier Andrews said some restrictions will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
"Until we have a vaccine - and even then, until we have a widely distributed vaccine - some aspects of these rules and restrictions must continue to be part of our reality."
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