Desi Swag in Ararat said they are feeling the effects of the COVID restrictions and lockdowns across the state.

Desi Swag owner Sania Sarin said a lack of tourist traffic to the region has had a major impact on their restaurant.

"It is very hard to survive at the moment," she said.

"I know the government is doing a lot to help, but when you have a business there are so many expenses, the support is not enough.

"We have less customers so we are making less money. The government help is there but it is not making much of a difference.

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"We are very affected by the Melbourne lockdown and especially the one in Ballarat, as well because some workers would come, but now it is really hard."

As a result of the restrictions, Desi Swag has removed its lunch service for now and Ms Sarin said she may need to find another job to help support the business.

The restaurant are also still providing their free meals for anyone who is 'needy' during these tough times.

Ms Sarin said she knows other businesses in the region will also be doing it tough and she urged residents to shop with small business as much as they could.

"Locals do their best to support businesses, but the businesses are facing lots of loss," she said.

"The message I have is that we have a beautiful community and I would encourage everyone to support all the businesses.

"They need so much support and if everyone goes to different place to buy some food or something then it will really help the businesses a lot.

"It will really help to boost business and buy local things."

As part of the Victorian Government's roadmap out of lockdown announced on Sunday, hospitality businesses won't be able to boost patronage until 70 per cent of people aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated, which is expected to arrive on October 26.

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That will allow hospitality venues to provide seated service to a limit of 30 fully vaccinated people indoors and 100 outside with density limits.

At the moment food and drink venues are only allowed to serve 10 seated people inside and 20 people outside.

The Gift Hotel part-owner Adrian Coyne said he and his staff were trying to manage their business through the tough COVID restrictions conditions.

"Things are changing all the time. Every week something is changing so we are guided by what the government legislation is and what they say and we will just go from there," he said.

"We are just doing the best we can and are looking forward to when restrictions are eased and we can get a few more people in the pub."

From a bottom line point of view, Mr Coyne said his business isn't making any profit and was surviving through this stage.

"We are travelling good and the local people have really supported us," he said.

"From a money side of things, we aren't making any money.

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"By the time you put staff on we are restricted to 10 people in the pub and 20 people in the beer garden and so by the time you have two or three staff on you don't make any money.

"The overhead is still there, but me and Dean (business partner) decided it was best for everyone to reopen the pub, get people back to work and try to get people back to a bit of normality.

"Everyone is on reduced hours so to speak and we are giving all the staff a couple of shifts a week."

Mr Coyne said he was hoping the roadmap goes to plan, allowing for more patrons at the busiest times of the year.

"Our biggest time of the year is Easter, but before that we have Christmas and we are just looking forward to getting people back in the pub and having a good time together," he said.

"We have a nice big beer garden out the back and we are one of those fortunate places where we can sit inside or outside, so it is disappointing, but what can we do."

Despite the COVID challenges, The Gift Hotel said they have wanted to remain in the community and have continued to sponsor as many local sporting teams and organisations in Stawell they can.

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