Cairns businesses reveal public response to new check-in rules

An arrest for not complying with check-in rules, customers dining outside a “takeaway” only restaurant and phone threats wrapped up Cairns’ first weekend with the new proof-of-vaccination rules.

CAIRNS hospitality businesses experienced some pushback from customers and an unusually quiet pre-Christmas weekend following the introduction of the state’s new Covid check-in rules.

However, business owners were hopeful the new proof-of-vaccination requirement was not the reason for a slower weekend of trade, reporting some negative reaction from patrons.

Despite empty seats in many cafes and bars, one business which moved to a takeaway operation only with “minimal outdoor seating”, was seemingly busy with customers tucking in.

Helga’s Pancake House in a social media post had announced that from December 18 it would only be serving takeaways after the new mandate kicked in and encouraged customers to bring their own chairs.

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Co-owner Birgit Machnitzke said she “did not speak to media”, but confirmed it was a “very busy weekend with takeaways”, although customers could be seen dining at tables on the footpath, outside the restaurant.

Cairns Police Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman said he commended the Cairns community for its “high-level” of compliance, but did not address specific venues.

“The majority of our business operators and patrons have been doing the right thing and following the new direction,” he said.

“Cairns police have been conducting compliance checks at pubs, clubs and dining precincts and the vast majority of businesses are doing exactly what is expected of them.

Cairns police commended the Cairns community for the high level of compliance. Picture: Brendan Radke

“At 2.30pm on Saturday, a 44-year-old man was refused service at a store at Cairns Central for not wearing a mask and not providing proof of vaccination. The man was given a direction by centre security to leave the store, and he allegedly refused. As the man was not willing to provide proof of vaccination or an exemption, he was issued an infringement notice for failing to comply with CHO directions and a six-month banning notice by centre security.”

For venues that did enforce the new check-in requirements, business was “quieter than usual.”

Esplanade bar Barvarian Beerhouse manager Bastian Krohnfuss said despite a slow weekend, the new system was “annoying”.

“We had a couple of aggressive ones that didn’t believe us, that we wanted them to check-in and they still wanted to have a beer,” he said.

“But most of the people understood, they were vaccinated.

“It is pretty annoying, asking everyone for that green tick, it takes extra time.”

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Fellow Esplanade trader Rameez Sayed of Copper Bar and Grill said no one had created a scene in the restaurant.

“We got calls saying ‘oh you can’t (enforce) it, it’s against human rights’, but we tell them you can’t go anywhere else either without vaccination,” he said.

“But most people understand.”

Ochre Restaurant director Carley Elsum said if not for pre-booked Christmas parties, “other trade was slow”, but hoped it was not because of the clunky check-in system.

“I’m hoping because we’re just weeks before Christmas, people are busy shopping, or saving money for their Christmas lunches and to spend time with the family,” she said.

“We only had to turn two tables away, but everyone was good.

“There were a lot of delays, and customers do get frustrated, they just want to get here and sit down. There were a lot that didn’t know to link the certificate to the app, or how to get a digital version. They were getting frustrated.

“Maybe when people get the vaccine, they can help them link (their certificate).”

Noa morning supervisor Hannah Rowe said business had been slow this weekend at the Edge Hill restaurant, but takeaways had doubled.

“We are doing heaps of takeaways, because unvaccinated people can come in for takeaway,” she said.

“There has been a bit of backlash on the mandate.

“There was a lot of people playing dumb with the whole thing trying to get away with it. But they knew it was coming, most people were ready for it.”

Originally published as Cairns businesses reveal public response to new check-in rules