Wodonga hospitality businesses are embracing the minor concessions granted to them from Premier Daniel Andrews to re-open with indoor dining following a second COVID-related lockdown.
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Regional Victorians can also travel to other regional areas of the state ahead of the upcoming school holidays and the staggered resumption of face-to-face learning at schools in term four will also go ahead.
Mask wearing is still compulsory and stricter enforcement of people travelling from metropolitan to regional areas has been promised by the government with potentially heavier fines.
The move to step three was made when the 14-day average case number dipped under four and there was only one reported mystery case.
"Today is testament to the determination of regional Victorians," Mr Andrews said.
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There will be a cap of 50 seated patrons per venue every two hours including 20 people allowed indoors.
Wodonga's Huon Hill Hotel is re-opening Friday.
"I didn't think they would let us have any indoor, but it's been a bonus," venue manager Veronica Parker said.
"The staff are very excited and they will all be on site from tomorrow to help us get ready.
"We will be checking IDs and if people are from Melbourne we aren't going to let them in.
"Unfortunately you've got to do it because I don't to be closed again."
George and Tess Siperki, who operate Deli Bean Cafe in Wodonga, are cautious about the resumption of onsite dining.
"The decision has been made and we need to move forward and do what we need to do.," Mr Siperki said.
"We've got to protect people and make sure they are safe, but as business people we need places open.
"We're going to be spending the rest of today and tomorrow getting ourselves ready because we're going to be able to have a little bit more seating outside than previously.
"We will be using our outdoor area completely, but we will be able to use the footpath out the front as well with council removing all the barriers that were previously in place.
"We've also just become fully licensed."
