Hamilton Island cancels holiday home stays as Covid cases climb

Disappointed tourists have been hit by more last-minute holiday cancellations, with Hamilton Island the latest Whitsundays destination forced to close some accommodation as Covid plays havoc with staff numbers and services.

Holidays have been cancelled on Hamilton Island as the tourist hot spot confirms the closure of some accommodation options.

Hamilton Island Enterprises one Wednesday confirmed that guest arrivals to holiday homes managed by them had been cancelled for the next two weeks, saying Covid-19 isolation requirements were behind the decision.

“The HIE housekeeping department has been particularly hard hit with large numbers of staff now in isolation,” a spokesman said.

“As our holiday homes team is numerically small and have seen their housekeeping staff significantly shrink in the last seven days, we have made the difficult decision to cancel guest arrivals for all our HIE managed holiday homes over the coming two weeks.”

The holiday homes’ closure was “undoubtedly very disappointing” for those with bookings, but it was necessary to protect current guests and staff.

“We had hoped to be able to maintain full operations throughout this evolving situation to enable our guests to enjoy their holiday with loved ones and friends,” the spokesman said.

“However, we are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable holiday experience for our guests and staff and this must remain our foremost priority.”

The organisation stresses the island is still “very much open for business”.

Active Covid-19 cases in the Whitsundays and Mackay region are creeping towards 1000, with Mackay Base Hospital’s Covid ward more than tripling its patients.

Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday recorded 210 new positive cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of active cases to 949.

The virtual ward at Mackay Base Hospital is treating 53 patients, while Townsville’s telehealth service is treating 19.

The Hamilton Island cancellations come as hospitality venues across the region struggle with staffing limitations, because of self-isolation requirements as well as the sustained suspension of new international workers.

“In preparation for this situation, Hamilton Island has been running a ‘stop sell’ of its hotel accommodation across the island for several months, limiting its occupancy significantly,” the spokesman said.

“Some other services across the island may also be affected, including restrictions to day trip visitors and changes to guest services in some restaurants and activities.

“For guests staying at other holiday homes not managed by HIE we suggest you speak to your booking agent as it is our understanding that many of the private housekeeping companies also have developing staff shortage issues.”

He said affected guests staying at other Hamilton Island properties would be contacted with more information regarding changes to services, activities and closures.

“Like all Australians, we hope to be through these challenges soon, at which point we can return services to normal. We wish for nothing more than to welcome all guests back to Hamilton Island,” the HIE spokesman said.

“Together, as a community, we will get through this most challenging period.”

Hamilton Island in The Whitsundays.

Whitsunday island day trips cancelled as Covid surges

Hamilton Island has been forced to cancel day trips for the foreseeable future as staff shortages hit the exclusive resort.

The popular holiday destination, booked out through to May, has been forced to cancel day trips “for the foreseeable future”, plunging holiday plans into chaos.

Hayman Island also paused arrivals on Tuesday and will again on Saturday while reviewing capacity daily.

It comes as the Mackay Hospital and Health Service on Tuesday recorded 174 new active cases, bringing the total to 739.

Of the total number of known active cases, 263 were in the Whitsunday local government area.

A Hamilton Island spokesman said the island community “like much of Australia” was grappling with the “day to day challenges of Covid-19, particularly the Omicron variant”.

“As we currently have several staff isolating as they are either Covid positive or displaying symptoms, there are increasing pressures on services across the island,” an island spokesman said.

“So we can maintain the world-class services to guests staying on the island, we have made the difficult decision to pause day trip visitors for the foreseeable future.

“This is no doubt disappointing to visitors to the Whitsundays who had planned to enjoy a day on the island and we apologise for the inconvenience to people’s holiday plans.”

MHHS Covid-19 executive director Julie Rampton said positive cases were in “most towns and communities in the health service” that takes in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regional council areas.

“Airlie Beach in particular has a high number of cases,” she said.

“We are aware that people want to celebrate with family and friends at this time of year.

“However, we are seeing the virus spread from family gatherings and larger events in the area.”

The Hamilton Island spokesman said the Whitsunday community would be told when day trips returned.

“We’re very proud of the island and the services we offer, and as a community feel great pride sharing its beauty with all visitors,” he said.

“We will alert the wider Whitsunday community when we can resume visits for day trippers.

“Those staff who are currently isolating, are being cared for and monitored in line with advice from Queensland Health.

“The health and safety of the Hamilton Island community, including guests, residents and staff are our most important priorities. It is together, that we will get through this most challenging period.”

Hamilton Island states, on its website, it has enacted Queensland Health directives and guidelines including making certain areas of the resort open to only fully vaccinated guests.

While unvaccinated and partially vaccinated guests can enter the island, restrictions apply to where they can go.

That includes access to any pubs, restaurants or bars on Hamilton Island and the Hamilton Island Golf Club being open to only fully vaccinated – or double-dosed – guests.

Unvaccinated visitors do not have access to any tours or activities organised on the island, but do have access to the beach and are able to visit the IGA supermarket, pharmacy, post office and general retail areas.

They can also hire a buggy, the spa, sports club and the island’s hair and beauty services.

Fully vaccinated people have access to the island’s full range of services including tours and activities.

Proof of vaccination is required for entering restaurants, bars, pubs, activity outlets and tours.

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort said it had paused arrivals for January 4 and 8 but was otherwise still accepting existing guests.

“This was in response to reduced levels of staffing who were identified as contacts and required to isolate and be tested in line with Queensland Health directives,” a spokeswoman said.

“This action was undertaken to minimise any further exposure opportunities and to ensure the best possible resort experience to our existing guests already on island.”