Cross Keys Hotel at Cavan bans all interstate truckies, sparking debate

The state’s peak trucking and hotel bodies have weighed in on a controversial move by a popular pub to ban interstate truckies.

A move by a popular pub to ban all interstate truck drivers is an “an insult”, the trucking industry body says, but the hotel association calls it a “natural reaction”.

The Cross Keys Hotel at Cavan has been listed a tier-one Covid-19 hotspot and closed at 8am on Saturday after a visit from an infected interstate truck driver on August 30.

About 30 people, including staff and their families, as well as customers, were forced to isolate for 14 days.

The pub reopened Monday morning after an extensive deep clean and official sign-off by SA Health.

The Cross Keys Hotel. Picture: Matt Turner

Hotel owner Greg Maitland said closing the pub and banning interstate truckies was a “fair and reasonable” choice.

“At this stage, when people are coming from clear Covid hotspots where it’s out of control and there’s no community transmission in South Australia, I think it’s fair and reasonable enough for us to do what we’ve done,” he said.

“We’re not doing it to try to annoy anyone or discriminate (against) anyone, this is a workplace health and safety decision that is purely to protect our locals and our staff.”

SA Road Transport Association executive director Steve Shearer said a complete ban was discriminatory to all truck drivers.

“A blanket ban punishes all truck drivers for the actions of one, and that’s not really reasonable or appropriate,” Mr Shearer said.

“We know a lot of truckies have reacted quite strongly, even if they don’t frequent the pub, because it’s the principle that for 18 months these men and women have been working hard sustaining the economy and community with everything they need … so it’s a bit of an insult to them, as they see it, and I don’t blame them.”

The sign on the door at the Cross Keys Hotel, banning interstate truck drivers amid Covid fears. Picture: Matt Turner

Australian Hotels Association chief executive Ian Horne said he understood the road transport association’s perspective but said the ban was necessary to avoid a future loss of business.

“They need to protect their workforce, they need to protect their business,” Mr Horne said.

“Like it or not, the hotel has an absolute obligation of work, health and safety to do everything to protect their staff and patrons … there is simply no easier solution.

“From our perspective, that is a natural reaction because sadly, no matter what the trucking industry has done, and it’s no doubt they’ve done a great job, we’ve had half a dozen truckies come into the state with the virus – that’s the harsh reality.”

A meeting within the next 48 hours would discuss ways to manage the situation and leave all parties satisfied, Mr Maitland said.

Mr Shearer said he had suggested to Mr Horne and Mr Maitland proof-of-Covid vaccination and/or a test certificate to allow interstate drivers in.

“I also understand why the pub or any business would want to protect itself from exposure and any consequences,” Mr Shearer said.

Mr Shearer said he was keen to discuss a solution with the other parties. Picture: File

“It seems to us, that if anything, evidence of testing or vaccination will be a reasonable approach.”

Mr Horne said any discussion was welcome.

“We’re more than happy to talk with the trucking association and the hotel,” he said.

“The harsh reality is that this hotel, through no fault of its own … had a massive impact when it had to close its business.”

Mr Matiland said that interstate truckies are “only a small part of my business”, and while appreciative of their patronage, a major truck distribution centre nearby led to the decision.

“Anyone who’s a driver from interstate isn’t allowed to get out and talk to anyone … the reality is that a person then can drive up to my pub and be in my pub all day, so there’s absolutely a massive conflict there,” Mr Maitland said.

“Once we found out what was happening down the road, we thought it was very appropriate that for the safety of our staff and families, who were put until isolation, is that until the borders are open we can’t do this.”

Since reopening on Monday, Mr Maitland said business had boomed, and was surprised with how busy the pub has been.

“Ultimately the general public understand what we’re trying to do.”