Coronavirus: Lack of clarity confusing Far North golf clubs
Far North golf clubs have been left confused and seeking clarity after a frustrating 48 hours in which mixed messaging has wrecked havoc with lives.
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Far North golf clubs have been left confused and seeking clarity after a frustrating 48 hours in which mixed messaging has wrecked havoc with lives.
Government restrictions brought in to combat and limit the spread of the COVID-19 disease has forced the closures of businesses across the state.
WHY BOWLS AND GOLF CLUBS WERE FORCED TO CLOSE
Almost all organised sports have been sidelined, with horse racing one of the few major industries still going ahead at this time, but golf has been straddling a dangerous line of misinformation and conflicting messages which could expose clubs to risk.
Some golf and bowls clubs were forced to close earlier this week due to liquor licensing restrictions.
The advice at that time was for any club whose licensing incorporated the whole border of the golf course or bowling lawns to close by noon on Monday.
The ruling was applicable only in Queensland, with other states and territories granted exemptions with conditions.
Many followed that advice.
On Tuesday, many clubs were resigned to the fact they would be closed for an indefinite period, with only a handful of clubs like Gordonvale and Innisfail Golf Clubs able to continue operating the golf component of the business with stringent restrictions.
But after Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s address after a National Cabinet meeting on Tuesday night, advice came through Golf Australia Queensland’s Facebook page that they had received verbal advice from Queensland’s Chief Health Officer that golf operations could continue.
As of noon on Wednesday, there has been no written or formal communication beyond that Facebook post.
But on Wednesday morning, some clubs opened the doors, only to be told by some licensing personnel that they had to close or they would be in breach of licensing conditions.
There is still no clear answer, leaving club officials in a frustrating holding pattern.
According to an Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation spokeswoman on Tuesday, a directive from Queensland’s Chief Health Officer about licensed venues led to the closure of golf and bowls clubs across Queensland due to their license conditions.
The office is chasing clarification on the directive after an overwhelming number of inquiries from Queensland golf and bowls clubs.
Innisfail Golf Club is proceeding close to normal, but with a number of restrictions.
The honesty box system for payment is still in play, but social players can only play if they own clubs or carts with all hiring services suspended.
Competitions are going ahead but with social distancing and mass gathering measures observed.
Further advice is expected to come, but for now clubs are anxiously awaiting directives from both the state government and state organising body.
Originally published as Coronavirus: Lack of clarity confusing Far North golf clubs