Burleigh Pavilion closed over Covid scare as vaccine mandate takes effect
There were fears of revolt from anti-vaxxers and business owners. While there was some confusion, there were no fines, but one major Gold Coast venue was shut down as the state’s list of exposure Covid-19 exposure sites exploded.
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One of Queensland’s most popular bars has been evacuated after a Covid scare and people have been turned away from businesses across the state on the first day of the new vaccine mandate.
Dozens of venues from Cairns in the north to Taroom in the west were listed as exposure sites, including the Gold Coast’s swanky Burleigh Pavillion which was shut down in a dramatic twist to day one of the new Covid normal in Queensland.
Burleigh Pavilion, which made headlines this week after copping abuse from anti-vaxxers when management vowed to strictly enforce the new regulations limiting entry to double-jabbed patrons, was cleared out just before 6pm.
A sign posted on the door later revealed the venue had been closed for a deep clean and staff testing after being reported as a casual contact for a confirmed Covid case on site on December 10.
Under health regulations, if a Covid-19 positive person attends a business or venue, it should be temporarily closed to perform cleaning.
Late Friday, close contact exposure sites were also listed in Toowoomba, Dalby, Miles and Taroom as the virus spreads outside the state’s southeast to regional centres – some of which have never had a positive case.
Unvaccinated patrons were turned away from multiple hospitality venues.
In Brisbane, West End hotelier Grant Morgan said his security team had turned away 26 anti-vaxxers who had attempted to enter his licensed premises, but they had left when asked.
“For what numbers we do through this hotel, that’s pretty good,” Mr Morgan said.
A security guard at another West End venue said he had to turn one patron away because she had only one jab.
“She was fine, she was a bit upset because she had a work function on, but I told her ‘Look, it’s law, I need that double shot’ and she wasn’t happy but she did go,” he said. “For the most part it’s been OK, but it’s early days yet, so we’ll see.”
At Howard Smith Wharves, a Felons Brewing Co staffer said she turned away five people and dealt with “major” problems with the Check In Qld app over the course of the day. The staffer, who did not wish to be named, said patrons tried to check in without their vaccination status linked to the app, and did not understand how to do so, or weren’t able to.
Joedy’s Cafe in New Farm denied entry to at least four people unable to show their vaccination status.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said officers would not hesitate to issue hefty fines to those flouting the new rules, with businesses facing penalties of up to $14,000, while individuals who refuse to comply can be fined $1378.
It moved Gold Coast cycling great and cafe owner Robbie McEwen to warn on social media that he would not risk a $13,785 fine just “to serve a $4 coffee to someone who made the choice not to vax”.
Only a handful of compliance issues were reported to police on Friday and no one was fined.
However, frustration remains over how the new system will work and how long it will remain in effect, with some business owners concerned large crowds will create a logistic nightmare for staff trying to follow the mandate.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland general manager of policy and advocacy Amanda Rohan said businesses wanted some certainty as they negotiated the new rules.
“Businesses are concerned at the impact of having to lay off unvaccinated staff when they don’t know how short-term this mandate will be in place,” she said.
“It’s already a hard labour market and businesses don’t want to lose staff for the sake of something that might only last four or six weeks.”
Restaurant and Catering Australia chief executive Wes Lambert said the new policy was off to a fairly smooth start.
“We haven’t heard of any major hiccups so far,” he said.
“There was clearly some apprehension leading in, but from most reports it has gone pretty smoothly.
“Consumers need to understand that these are laws and the businesses don’t have a choice. It’s ultimately to drive up vaccination rates, which will help get through the pandemic.”
On the Gold Coast, few hospitality businesses reported any dramas, but at many venues people rarely bothered to check in.
At Pancakes in Paradise, which also made headlines after owner Glen Day vowed not to enforce the new requirements, workers were observed diligently asking customers for proof of vaccination.
In Brisbane, the operational manager of multiple high-end dining restaurants along Eagle St Pier said Friday had been running “without major hiccups” but some patrons were “frustrated” with the Check In app.
“At the end of the day, it is what it is, and we just have to work together and just comply as much as possible,” he said.
One barista at a cafe on James St, Fortitude Valley, who did not wish to be named, said it was demanding.
“It’s logistically challenging when you don’t have as many staff to check everyone,” she said.
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