As school holidays approach, the City of Greater Bendigo and Be.Bendigo are reminding businesses and residents about the need to check and show identification during the current restrictions.
The restrictions are in place to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and it is critical that everyone in the community works together to help keep each other safe and keep businesses open.
The following businesses are required to check customer identification:
- Accommodation facilities (for tourism-related bookings)
- Food and drink facilities when providing seated service
- Restricted retail facilities, including hairdressers, beauty and personal care facilities
- Licensed tourism operators
- Entertainment and function facilities, such as theatres, cinemas, convention centres, and other venues listed under 'entertainment' in the Restricted Activity Directions
- Physical recreation facilities, except where those facilities are unstaffed
- Real estate agents (related to any activity except for final property inspections)
Businesses can use the Victorian Government's postcode, suburb and address checker to identify whether a person is from metropolitan Melbourne or a locked down area of regional Victoria.
Mayor Cr Dr Jennifer Alden urged the Greater Bendigo community to pull together once more.
"I understand at this point in the pandemic people are tired and frustrated, but it is absolutely necessary that we each continue to play our part," Cr Alden said.
"This is a big ask of businesses, particularly young staff, but given we are residents of regional Victoria and not currently living under any lockdown restrictions, I am asking residents to please show your identification willingly," Cr Alden said.
"Regional Victoria is not immune to this Delta variant and quite quickly it could take hold and we would find ourselves in lockdown, so let's all keep working together for the benefit of our whole community."
Be.Bendigo Chief Executive Officer Dennis Bice said he acknowledged and understood the challenges checking identification brought but it was a key way to protect businesses, staff and customers.
"These restrictions and requirements are designed to help keep us safe. We have excellent vaccination rates in Greater Bendigo and across regional Victoria but we need to ensure that as businesses and residents we are working to the restrictions of the day," Mr Bice said.
"We hope the Premier's road map announcement this weekend gives good direction on restrictions easing and future opportunities for businesses to open up, but this will only be possible if we all do what is required of us today and over the coming weeks."
To help business owners understand current COVID-safe obligations, the City has received Victorian Government funds to roll out the Business Concierge and Hospitality Support Program.
