Millicent cafes and hotels are slowly returning to normal activity with COVID-19 restrictions being eased by the State Government.
Sit-down dining with alcohol consumption was permissible in limited numbers over the weekend and the venues which opened their dine in doors to the public included the Grand Hotel and New Heaven Indian Restaurant.
From Friday, cafes, restaurants and hotels were allowed to have 10 patrons seated inside premises.
Shearer’s Cook Café manager Melissa Armfield said the change was embraced by the customers of her Kentish Place business.
“It was the best day for me as it happened to be my birthday,” Ms Armfield said.
“It was great to hear the noise back in the shop.
“We were busy with morning teas, lunches and afternoon teas.
“We had regular customers as well as some newcomers.”
Grand Hotel manager Leandra Worrell said small groups of customers used the downstairs dining room.
Ms Worrell said bookings were being taken for this week.
Millicent Lakeside Cafe/Takeaway manager Sean Sparks said the lifting of restrictions had resulted in a few dine-in patrons, but a majority of customers had continued to use the shop’s delivery service.
“We have had a few people come and in eat in, but most people are still ordering takeaways and using our delivery service,” he said.
“Our eat-in diners have been really considerate of others, if there are too many people in the shop, people will wait outside which is good to see.”
Some Millicent churches have resumed services but they had to restrict the number of worshippers to ten.
Class liturgies are again being held in the chapel of St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School.
Friends of Beachport and Canunda National Parks chairman Mike Bleby said the authorities had given the green light for the volunteer group to resume its weekly working bees.
Work was due to resume on the maintenance of walking trails at the Coola Outstation on Wednesday, but the session was cancelled owing to inclement weather.
There were also grey skies on Saturday but this did not deter 61 golfers from playing at the course at Mount Burr.
Millicent Golf Club president Mark Pilmore said it was around 20 years since such numbers were seen on the links for a regular Saturday competition.
Mr Pilmore said the COVID-19 protocols meant the licensed clubrooms had to remain closed, but golfers were helping the club’s bottom line in other ways.
“We have one full-time greenkeeper but the members volunteer their time to help maintain the course,” Mr Pilmore said.
“We get good numbers of volunteers every Tuesday”.
Millicent’s thrift shops have voluntarily been closed for the past two months but Lifeline has signalled it will reopen on Monday.
