THE BENDIGO Motel Association is cautiously optimistic a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions will give their industry a much-needed boost.
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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced from 11.59pm on May 31, Victorians will be allowed to stay overnight at private residences and accomodation.
The change will also apply to campgrounds and caravan parks, but not with communal facilities like kitchens.
Bendigo Motel Association vice president Simon Wurf said the industry had seen a significant drop in business under the restrictions.
"Any step forward is a good thing," Mr Wurf said. "I think in general as an industry, we would like to move forward in a positive manner.
"We just hope that by doing this it won't create another issue where we would be forced to lockdown again. We just hope everyone is safe and can move forward."
Mr Andrews announced outdoor playgrounds, skateparks, and outdoor communal gym equipment will reopen from Tuesday.
City of Greater Bendigo chief executive Craig Niemann said the city would work as quickly as possible to reopen its outdoor facilities.
"We will work with the Working for Victoria cleaning blitz contractors to clean the more popular play spaces ahead of their reopening," Mr Niemann said.
"We understand this is very exciting news for families but encourage everyone using outdoor play equipment to practice social distancing as much as possible, and to take with them some hand sanitiser or soap and a water bottle for washing hands."
From 11.59pm on May 31, indoor and outdoor gatherings can increase to 20 people.
Libraries, youth centres, and other community facilities will also reopen for no more than 20 people in a single area.
Entertainment and cultural venues like galleries will be able to open their doors, alongside zoos and outdoor amusement parks.
Swimming pools will also open with limits of 20 people, while community sporting activities will also be permitted if it is outdoors and with no contact.
"In regards to community facilities, we are working through a process to get these cleaned, safe, and operational again with utilities turned back on, remembering they have been closed for a number of weeks," Mr Nieman said.
"Bendigo Art Gallery staff will also be considering how they can safely re-open the gallery and ensure they can manage the correct number of people inside at any one time.
"This process may take beyond June 1 to confirm and put in place, however we are looking forward to reopening our facilities as soon as possible, in line with the correct guidelines at the time while ensuring community members, staff, and volunteers are safe."
Beauty and personal care services like nail salons and tattoo parlours will be able to open with up to 20 customers - with businesses required to keep customer contact details.
Jools for Jim owner Jill Cantwell said business owners and clients would be excited about the return of beauty services.
"We need to take it slowly and very cautiously," she said. "We've had really good feedback in the salon about what we're already doing."
Ms Cantwell said the provisions around reopening beauty salons were manageable.
"We sort of keep customer contact details anyway because we take your details when you book an appointment," she said.
"For us, it's quite easy. We're happy to follow any suggestion or restriction to make sure we're all safe."
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