With the government limiting dining to 10 people inside and 20 outside, Hotel Warrnambool owner Steve Phillpot said his venue was now effectively subject to a one person per 43.1 square metre rule under the new restrictions.

"It's totally unviable. You're going backwards quicker than you were in lockdown," Mr Philpot said.

"For bigger venues it's a waste of people's time and money. Every time they do open up there is another set of rules."

City Memorial Bowls club general manager Julie Dosser said to say she was disappointed with the new restrictions was an understatement.

It now meant their venue was effectively subject to a one per 360 square metre rule.

"How on earth are hospitality businesses expected to open with a limit of 10 people inside and 20 outside?" she said.

Ms Dosser said it was unfathomable that their venue could hold more than 500 people to only have 10.

"It creates more stress when we could have eased back with the one person per four-square-metre ruling which would have been logical for different-sized businesses," she said.

Ms Dosser said they were lucky bowling practice was able to resume which and help with the mental health and well being of their members.

"I feel for our staff - how on earth do you staff a multi-functional venue for the number limitations set above," she said. "There is no way our staff can resume to normal hours."

Ms Dosser also said it was unclear if the COVID-19 disaster payment still applied to staff who had lost hours.

Raffertys Tavern's Mark McIlroy said it was heartbreaking to have to turn away so many potential customers - Friday morning alone he had to reject 30 people who had called to make bookings.

"We're spending more time in navigating people and turning them away than we are in serving, and it's absolutely ridiculous," he said.

During previous restrictions, hospitality venues have been subject to a one person per four square metre rule, but for his large venue it was one per 100 square metres.

Mr McIllroy said the rules made it impossible to operate and he was not surprised some were not even opening. "It's absolutely crazy. It has to be up there with one of the worst times in hospitality and I've been in the industry for 30 years," he said.

"I'm just worried about how long this is going to go on for. How long is he (Premier Daniel Andrews) expecting us to be under these restrictions."

Mr McIllroy questioned where the roadmap for regional Victoria was. He said regional New South Wales had a roadmap and could have more people in their venues at a time when there were a lot more daily COVID cases in the state.

Seanchai owner Matthew McMahon said the rules effectively reduced him to a one person per 200 square metres.

"We're licenced for 696 and we're allowed 10, so that's about .7 of a per cent I think," he said. "It's just ridiculous but what can you do?"

RSL president Michael Bellamy said they were now offering takeaway in an effort to support their staff but they were not opening their doors at this stage.

However, he said their veteran support centre staff were available if anyone needed help.

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