An industry on its knees: How Dan Andrews' draconian lockdown put 78% of hospitality staff out of work with venues saying it will take two YEARS for them to recover
- Two thirds of Victorian hospitality workers have lost confidence in the industry
- Almost 80 per cent are out of work thanks to Melbourne's draconian lockdown
- Venues believe it will take two years to recover from coronavirus restrictions
Victorian hospitality staff are struggling to remain hopeful about their job prospects amid Melbourne's draconian lockdown.
Venues in metropolitan Melbourne believe it will take at least two years to recover from the harsh coronavirus restrictions.
Hospitality platform Barcats surveyed 203 Victorian workers and venue owners to uncover the bleak outlook for the industry.
Barcats CEO Jeffrey Williams said a shocking amount of the state's hospitality staff, almost 80 per cent, were currently out of work.
Victorian hospitality staff have struggled to remain hopeful about their job prospects during Melbourne's draconian COVID-19 lockdown (a venue for lease in Melbourne's CBD pictured)
More than two thirds of hospitality workers have lost confidence in the industry and 80 per cent of restaurant and bar staff are out of work (Staff at the Portsea Hotel pictured)
'Although venues are trying to stay open with takeaway options and home deliveries, 78.65 per cent of Victoria's hospitality staff are currently not working, with over half of these workers from central Melbourne,' Mr Williams explained.
More than two thirds of hospitality workers had also lost confidence in the industry and believed the second lockdown would have long-lasting effects on jobs.
'45.83 per cent of staff surveyed specifically state that the second wave of COVID-19 shutdowns has made them consider a career change away from hospitality,' Mr Williams said.
Share this article
The Colonial Leisure Group runs several venues across Victoria and group executive Andrew Lewis said coronavirus restrictions would damage their operations.
'With the international and state borders remaining closed our CBD venues will hurt the most relying heavily on full hotels and international travellers.
'We're anticipating most of our venues will only be able to operate at 80 per cent for the next couple of years whilst the industry tries to get back on its feet,' he said.
Mr Williams explained that when Melbourne's bars and restaurants reopened for good there would be a staff shortage so young people shouldn't be put off starting a career in hospitality.
Venues in metropolitan Melbourne believe it will take at least two years to recover from the coronavirus restrictions (An empty restaurant on Lygon street in Melbourne's CBD pictured)
A survey showed that at least 45.83 per cent of Victorian hospitality staff had considered a career change away from hospitality (Empty shopfronts pictured in Melbourne's CBD)
'When Melbourne's CBD eventually re-opens, venues will be crying out for staff to help them recover and this is when the staff shortage will be detrimental,' he said.
'With no overseas travellers we will be relying on Aussie's to fill the gap.
'We need to encourage more youngsters to consider hospitality as a career and we need more mature workers to be get back into hospitality, with venues adapting shifts to be more suitable for part-time workers.'
Victoria recorded another day of double-digit coronavirus infections on Wednesday, with 76 new cases across the state.
A further 11 deaths have also been announced, taking the state's death toll to 694.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured on Wednesday) announced his road map out of Stage Four restrictions and will allow customers to dine at venues at the end of October
Victoria has recorded 76 new COVID-19 infections and 11 deaths on Wednesday (pictured, two women in Melbourne wear face masks near the beach on Tuesday)
The rise comes after Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled his road map out of Stage Four restrictions on Sunday - leaving many businesses devastated.
In order to move to the next step of easing restrictions on September 28, Melbourne must record an average daily infection rate between 30 and 50 over the next two weeks.
Cafes, bars and restaurants will be able to have customers dine outside on October 26, as long as the statewide case average has fallen under five for the previous fortnight.
Customers won't be allowed inside until November 23 and only if there have been no cases at all for the previous two weeks.
The strict draconian curfew enforced in Melbourne will be also be extended to October 26 but will be increased to 9pm-5am. Currently it begins at 8pm.
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
