Restaurants on alert as lockdown fears grow

After the hospitality industry was decimated by the pandemic last year, Brisbane restaurants are on high alert after a new case of COVID-19 sparks fears of a snap lockdown.

Brisbane restaurants are on high alert after a new case of COVID-19 was detected in the community, with hopes it won’t result in a snap lockdown.

After the hospitality industry was decimated by the pandemic last year, E’cco Bistro’s Mary Randles said another lockdown would negatively impact a recovering industry.

“I am concerned that we will be put into a snap lockdown again, like what happened in January,” she said.

“It’s so destructive to businesses, to bookings, our customers and our staff. The new case has been through a lot of places in a short amount of time so it’s very daunting.”

It comes as the Premier urged residents and restaurant owners of the sunshine state to practice COVID-safe measures.

“People are not social distancing, we really need people to social distance and the other thing coming back is everyone is doing handshakes again,” she said. “Please we’re still in the midst of a pandemic, now is not the time to break our social good hand hygiene.”

Patrons dining out at South Bank on Friday.

She said it was necessary to abide by the rules in order to get through the pandemic.

Ms Randles said she was surprised at how well each generation adapted to the use of the QR code sign-in system.

“Whether it’s an older or younger generation everyone arrives and they have their phone ready to scan the QR code,” she said.

Mucho Mexicano manager Brandon Orr said the restaurant had a positive experience with patrons checking in and using hand sanitiser.

“We’ve got hand sanitising stations all around and we’ve kept the tables spread out.”