Hotel Quarantine Business Losses Class Action group has recently issued a notice outlining a legal proceeding filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

The Hotel Quarantine Business Losses Class Action group has recently issued a notice outlining a legal proceeding filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria. This proceeding seeks compensation for retail businesses impacted by the “second-wave” lockdowns that occurred in Victoria from July to October 2020.

The group alleges that these lockdowns resulted from negligence in the hotel quarantine program. If your business suffered losses due to these restrictions, you may qualify to be part of the group represented in the class action. Eligible businesses include restaurants, bars, and retail shops.

Here are the key details:

1. Class Member Criteria: To be considered a class member, you must meet all three of the following criteria:
   • Operated a retail business supplying goods or services to the public from physical premises in Victoria as of July 1, 2020.
   • Provided goods or services to the public through physical premises.
   • Experienced financial losses due to stage 3 and stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne and parts of regional Victoria between July and October 2020, resulting in your business being shut down, operating at reduced capacity, or facing restrictions on public visitation.
2. Claim Registration and Opt-Out: If you wish to participate in any potential settlement reached during the court-ordered mediation in November 2024, you must register your claim with the Plaintiff’s solicitors by 4:00 pm AEST on July 8, 2024. Alternatively, if you do not wish to be part of the class action, you can opt out by providing an opt-out notice by the same deadline.
3. Mediation: The class action will undergo court-ordered mediation in November 2024, aiming to reach an agreement on the outcome of the action, subject to court approval. If you take no action in response to this notice, such as not registering by the deadline or opting out, and the case settles during the November 2024 mediation, you will not be entitled to compensation from this class action. However, you will be bound by the settlement terms, including any provisions releasing the Defendants regarding matters related to the claims in the class action.

For more information, please refer to the official notice provided here.