‘Eased restrictions’ for businesses who block the unvaccinated

Businesses who block unvaccinated customers once Queensland reaches the 80 per cent double-jab target in December will be rewarded for their efforts. Agree? Have your say in our poll.

Businesses will be encouraged to block unvaccinated customers from their premises, with the government offering to relax restrictions completely for places that do.

In a concerted push for people to get vaccinated, Deputy Premier Steven Miles told those who did not that they could expect to be banned from certain places by December 17, when 80 per cent double-vaccinated targets are due to be met.

But nervous businesses have now sought further details, including how they would be expected to police tough entry requirements.

“There will be other freedoms that are only available to people who have been vaccinated,” Mr Miles said.

“We will work with industry and business but we expect that there will be some settings and venues that decided to be vaccinated only.

“And in return, they will have eased restrictions.

Chief Health officer Jeannette Young. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said there were strict density limits at the moment, but they might be dropped for businesses who only serve vaccinated patrons.

“Perhaps we won’t have those (restrictions) if a business decides only to allow fully vaccinated people into their nightclub,” she said.

CCIQ policy and advocacy manager Cherie Josephson welcomed the road map but said businesses still needed more detail on conditions and compliance requirements under the new ‘Covid business as usual’.

“Businesses need to know what they’re up against,” she said.

“We heard some venues will be for ‘vaccinated only’ patrons when interstate travel resumes but we need more detail about what that means for businesses and how they will be able to protect themselves, their staff and their customers.”

Gerard’s Bistro owner Valley Johnny Moubarak said it was forcing restaurants into making a political statement about vaccinations and could result in alienating potential customers.

“We don’t want to be the ones to make the decision,” he said. “We don’t want to offend people either way … so we definitely don’t want to be put in that position.”

Mr Moubarak said having to monitor whether customers were vaccinated also created extra workload for restaurants already stretched by a lack of staff caused by interstate and international border closures.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Trish O’Callaghan said the border reopening announcement was “the light at the end of the tunnel”.

She said the Coast tourism industry had lost $6.2bn in the past 12 months – half of it in the last three months alone – and the reopening could help save many operators from going under.

“The industry has been calling for a road map or a pathway out and this delivers it,” she said.

“It could well and truly be the summer that helps save the tourism industry and we’ll be making the most of it.”

Coolangatta Surf Club CEO Steve Edgar and barmaid Jo Johnston are excited for the border reopening. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Coolangatta Surf Club boss Steve Edgar said the border reopening announcement was “good news” but would not save some battered businesses on the southern Gold Coast.

“There can be more done right now,” he said.

“It’s ludicrous that people (from northern NSW) can cross the border to come to work but they can’t come over to have a drink or a meal.”

Meanwhile, champagne was flowing at the border barricades between Coolangatta and Tweed Heads after Premier Palaszczuk’s announcement.

Chani Ridley, Alan Tait, Meade Atman, Charli Summerton, Nathan Ridley and Kalen Austin celebrate the news that the border will fully reopen in December. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Murwillumbah residents Chani Ridley, Alan Tait and Meade Atman had been separated from Brisbane-based family Charli Summerton, Nathan Ridley and Kalen Austin since the border slammed shut in July.

“It’s been really awful,” Ms Atman said.

“Being a close family, not even being able to give each other a hug has been very tough.”

Lisa Brenchley, who lives at Cabarita in northern NSW with her husband and children Bette, 18 months, and Alby, 5, has been cut off from her family on the southern Gold Coast.

“We haven’t seen each other for months,’ she said.

“Even just trying to get to the doctor or dentist across the border has been a nightmare. The reopening can’t come soon enough.”