Freedom Day for the southeast as businesses struggle to stay afloat

Queenslanders have been given a dose of freedom, but have been warned to stick to the rules and wear masks as businesses can’t endure any more lockdowns.

Queenslanders celebrated their first taste of freedom since a snap lockdown was called last week, but industry groups are warning that businesses have run out of emotional and financial capacity to endure more.

As Queensland’s eight-day lockdown finished at 4pm Sunday, pubs, bars and restaurants were among the first to encourage people back into their venues.

Alex Wicht, 21, Pullenvale, Marisa Mc Elroy, 32, Teneriffe, and Claire Wicht, 24, Toowong, celebrating the end of Covid lockdown. Picture: Liam Kidston

Industry groups warned further lockdowns could force permanent closures and were counting losses into the hundreds of millions, while police warned they would be out in force and continuing to crack down on people not wearing masks.

Queenslanders given back their freedom hit riverside bars for an afternoon beer, with long lines to get into Howard Smith Wharves.

National Retail Association chief executive officer Dominique Lamb said the state’s lockdown had cost the industry in Queensland $800m.

“The desperation we are hearing from our businesses, not just national businesses, is probably something that I haven’t seen in the 18-month period (of Covid),” Ms Lamb told The Courier-Mail.

“There are certainly businesses across the community that are absolutely on the brink (of closing).

“I don’t know how businesses are going to fare if there are too many of these lockdowns.”

People enjoy the end of lockdown at the Wynnum foreshore. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Ms Lamb said the communication around the lockdown, the extension and the fact it was the Delta strain was affecting confidence, as well as hesitancy from both businesses and employees about the fear of another potential lockdown in the near future.

Ms Lamb said the $5000 grant offered to businesses in Queensland was not enough.

“Businesses have had their rents deferred and now they have them coming due, we’ve had bank loans defer which are coming due, we’ve had no JobKeeper, we’ve got this JobSaver but there is a lag and even with the $5000 there is a lag (and) most of the time it doesn’t even touch payroll for anybody that has multiple employees.”

During the eight-day southeast lockdown, chief health officer Jeannette Young said masks had “made a big difference” and were helping stop the spread of Covid-19.

Queensland Police Service Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski yesterday warned the public to keep wearing masks.

Nick Ingall with Casandra O’Grady at Howard Smith Wharfs. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“Obviously our planning today is to look at making sure tonight when people feel like they are free, and they go out and about, that they do abide by what those restrictions are,” he said.

“We handed out 307 masks yesterday (on Saturday) in our community. There are still a lot of people out there that don’t carry and wear masks. I am going to bang on about this endlessly.

“Please make sure you are wearing your masks and take them with you.”

Mr Gollschewski said 11 people had been issued on-the-spot fines after refusing to wear masks.

He said police had inspected 298 businesses and all were compliant.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland yesterday said lockdowns meant businesses had to either close or adapt.

CCIQ Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan said some business had been in lockdown for 18 days over four lockdowns this year.

“Businesses owners have run out of emotional and financial capacity to endure further lockdowns,” she said.

“Close to half of businesses we surveyed in the June quarter Pulse Survey say they have been forced to contribute personal funds, on average more than $110,000, to keep their business afloat – they reached their limit a long time ago.”

Ms Rohan said more was needed to ensure the most heavily affected businesses were able to reopen and a $5000 Covid-relief package they could apply for mid-month was too late.

“They’re losing up to $65,000 for every three days their business is in lockdown and a $5,000 payment in a few weeks’ time does little to help them pay ongoing bills and overheads, maintain their commitment to staff who rely on them for an income and plan their long-term Covid recovery,” she said.

The Premier and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner were released after 14 days hotel quarantine on Sunday morning after travelling to Tokyo to secure Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games.

Mr Schrinner said he was relieved to be back with his wife Nina and their four children whom he said were his “absolute rock through quarantine”.

“As the long days pressed on, I desperately looked forward to the regular phone calls and facetimes,” Mr Schrinner said.

“While two weeks in hotel quarantine was difficult, it was absolutely the right thing to do, and I’m incredibly grateful to Nina who took care of our kids, especially over the past eight days while Brisbane was in lockdown.”

Mr Schrinner said he intended to enjoy some quality time with his family before heading back to work on Monday.

“The kids love to help in the kitchen, so we’ll be cooking up a storm and sharing all the stories I missed over the past three weeks,” he said.

“Monday is back to the office, ensuring Brisbane strongly bounces back from the recent lockdown and continuing our journey towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Stella Follari and John Bryant left lockdown to enjoy a picnic at Kangaroo Point to celebrate Ms Follari’s 19th birthday on Sunday.

“I had celebrations planned for last week and I had to cancel them, I’m just going to try and postpone them,” Ms Follari said.

“We just wanted to get out and celebrate.”

“It’s been really good, I’m thankful that the lockdown was lifted,” Mr Bryant said.