Sydneysiders are set to cop $100 worth of vouchers to spend at hospitality and entertainment venues across the state in an attempt to boost business after the COVID-19 lockdown, so I guess dinner is on Gladys Berejiklian tonight.
The Out & About scheme will kick off in Sydney, before being rolled out to every adult across the state in the form of four $25 vouchers – two for food at cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs, and two for entertainment venues such as cinemas, galleries and theme parks.
“We want to encourage people to shop and spend with businesses multiple times, to get out and about and support their local community safely,” NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet told The Australian.
Unfortunately, the vouchers can’t be used on booze, cigarettes, gambling or general retail, and could have a disclaimer that means they can only be used on weekdays. But hey, free money is free money, right?
The Out & About vouchers will also be single-use, in an effort to “encourage people to open up their wallets and contribute to the stimulus effect,” according to Perrottet.
“The dining and entertainment industries were among the hardest hit by the pandemic and I would encourage people to utilise this scheme once it is up and running and to make sure they spend a bit extra on the way through, too.”
The two ‘Dining Out’ vouchers can be used to buy food (no alcohol) from pubs, clubs, restaurants or cafes from Monday to Thursday.
Meanwhile, the two ‘Going Out’ vouchers can be used any day of the week at galleries, performing arts, cinemas, amusement parks and other activities.
The programme will be rolled out to residents of the 2000 postcode from Tuesday (today), with other surrounding suburbs to follow shortly.
To access the scheme you need to register with Service NSW here. You’ll need this to access the vouchers, but they’re recommending downloading the MyServiceNSW App for easy access when you’re out and about.
So basically, the government will cover the cost of your dinner, which means you can afford to splash out on a cocktail or dessert.
The vouchers will be distributed via Service NSW mobile app.
Sydneysiders will get the first taste of the Out & About program next month, before it is fully rolled out across the state in early 2021.
Dan Andrews, if you’re reading this, please give me and my fellow Victorians some vouchers to buy some dinner and see a movie. It is truly what we deserve.
