On the eave of restrictions easing in regional Victoria, hospitality venues in Wodonga which were set to benefit from increased capacity limits will be felled by a last minute rule change, according to Business Wodonga.
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From 11.59pm Thursday, regional Victorian entertainment venues can welcome up to 30 fully vaccinated residents inside and up to 100 outside, but Business Wodonga's Graham Jenkin said a late notice rule change meant staff would also need to be fully vaccinated.
"Despite under the roadmap it had said that originally they had until November 26 to be double dosed," he said.
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"Apparently it was announced in the Premiers press conference [on Tuesday] and there's still nothing in writing on the official website ... but through other chambers around Victoria inquiries have been made.
When questioned at Wednesday's press conference, COVID Commander Jeroen Weimar said it wasn't an unreasonable proposition.
"We have all had a long time to get used to this," he said.
But Mr Jenkins said that a lot of hospitality workers were young people who hadn't been eligible since recently.
"It will have a severe impact on a lot of businesses," he said.
Wodonga's Miss Amelie Gourmet restaurant owner David Kapay said he hadn't known about the rule until her was contacted by The Border Mail.
"[It's] another hurdle to jump," he said.
"I know all the kitchen currently is fully vaxxed, but there might be a few front of house who'll have to take a spell.
"We're struggling for staff, also I think widespread hospitality is in a bit of a staffing dilemma, I think a lot of people have sought greener pastures throughout COVID."
Mr Jenkins said he was shattered for the local hospitality industry.
"It's been through so many ups and downs and you just think your getting to the light at the end of the tunnel and it just seems like it's being dimmed or switched off for some business," he said.
"Governments should give more than 48 hours notice before they make a change to the rules they had previously put in place."
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