Main Beach’s Hot Shott cafe fears Queenland vaccine mandate losses
The boss of a popular cafe will be forced to farewell a crop of longtime patrons as new vaccine mandates come into effect across the state. HOW SHE’S COPING
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A popular Gold Coast cafe boss will from Friday be forced to farewell some longtime patrons, many who supported pandemic peak, as new vaccine mandates kick in.
Hot Shott owner Jenna Finch is “really nervous” about turning away unvaccinated customers due to the controversial laws, fearing her Main Beach business will suffer financially as those unable to dine in seek out venues turning a blind eye to mandates.
“A lot of them are elderly customers or have health problems and don’t want to get vaccinated, and it breaks my heart that I have to turn around to these people and tell them I can’t serve them anymore,” she said.
One couple who visits the cafe twice weekly were among banned patrons: “That’s $100 a week in revenue I’ve lost just from these two people. It’s definitely going to kill our revenue a little bit.”
Business owners who don’t take reasonable steps to comply with mandates - effective at 5am Friday - are at risk of fines reaching $6892. Customers can be fined $1378.50.
Operators and staff must check customer vaccine status, and turn away those not fully vaccinated. Staff must also be double jabbed.
Ms Finch is ensuring staff - particularly younger ones - are equipped to handle patrons displeased with their obeyance of mandates. She’s schooled them on “one sentence to tell customers”.
“If there are any issues, they can speak to me and my second in charge.
Unvaccinated people will be unable to visit non-essential businesses, including hospitality venues such as pubs, hotels, restaurants and cafes, or indoor venues such as cinemas, live music venues or theatres.
“At the end of the day we want to ease people’s minds, and on the plus side we’re still allowed to offer takeaway for the unvaccinated,” Ms Finch said.
“You can still grab takeaway and head to the beach or the park just down the road, so we’re just trying to put a positive spin on it.”
Many customers have so far respected the venue’s decision to enforce the controversial new laws: “We do have to follow what the government is asking us what to do, it’s not my personal opinion but it is what it is,” Ms Finch said.
“They understand that my business is at risk of a fine.
“Because we are so busy and we’re always thriving, we’ve already have the police called on us four times during the pandemic by people thinking we’re not doing the right thing or have too many customers in the venue.”
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Originally published as Main Beach’s Hot Shott cafe fears Queenland vaccine mandate losses
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