Excited Melburnians have rushed to embrace the easing of restrictions after 111 days, filling a month’s worth of bookings in advance.
For many, the build-up to being in a pub was so great that they rushed to get a beer.
Balloons and confetti guns greeted the first excited guests at Angus & Bon New York steakhouse at Greville St Prahran whereas Kmart had queues of shoppers lining up, so many that bookings had to be taken.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews warned people to remain vigilant. “I know there’s a real buzz and an energy because people can see what they’ve been able to achieve,” he said, but he also warned that we still need to observe social distancing rules.
READ MORE: Unlocking Melbourne with zero COVID-19 cases: New freedoms from tomorrow
The Crown Riverfront has prepared for French Riviera-styled riverside dining with a new area, Patenque Social, which combines 10 restaurants (Bistro Guillaume, Rosetta, Ging Thai, Merrywell Burger Bar, Gradi, Lucky Chan, Baci and Cervo will be among the first to open their doors, with Rockpool Bar & Grill and The Atlantic to follow shortly after.) Eight of those venues will be extending their terrace dining offered out onto the Riverwalk.
The inspiration for the new design were the European-styled waterfront restaurants with custom-made timber day beds, lounge chairs and striped pastel blue umbrellas.
Victorians will still be required to wear masks into 2021 despite the state’s daily case numbers hitting zero.