Townsville businesses fear losses of Covid-19 rules but QLD govt won’t budge

Townsville businesses stifled by Covid-19 restrictions fear they will lose out on thousands of customers even though the city’s stadium will be packed to the rafters for the landmark State of Origin opener.

Townsville businesses stifled by statewide Covid-19 restrictions fear they will lose out on thousands of customers even though the city’s stadium will be packed to the rafters for the landmark State of Origin series opener.

But calls by business leaders and the city’s federal MP for restrictions to be eased in Covid-free Townsville have been batted away by authorities.

The city’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium is set to be at more than 100 per cent capacity as extra grandstands are trucked in from the south for State of Origin game 1 next week.

But indoor businesses like restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs won’t be able to capitalise because under existing Queensland Government Covid-19 restrictions they are restricted to one person per two square metres, effectively halving the capacity of many businesses.

Mock ups of what the Queensland Country Bank Stadium will look like with additional seating. Picture: Queensland government.

Townsville Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ross McLennan said Origin was fantastic news for the city’s economy but current Queensland Health restrictions would prevent hospitality businesses from taking full advantage of the game.

“We must look at these restrictions that are still on businesses, we are hearing that loud and clear from our members,” Mr McLennan said.

Federal Herbert MP Phillip Thompson, in a letter to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, called for restrictions to be reconsidered before the game citing concerns from businesses about being fined if they accidentally breach the rules.

“While health, safety and wellbeing must remain paramount, we haven’t had a Covid-19 case in Townsville for more than a year,” he said.

Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The Courier-Mail approached both the Premier and the Health Minister’s office but received a response from Queensland Health.

The department implied restrictions were unlikely to change as the state was “not out of the woods” of the pandemic and that Covid-19 rules “apply across the state”.

“The restrictions in place at the time of the event will apply,” a spokesman said.

Mr Thompson slammed the response, saying the “hypocrisy was madness” that the stadium could be chockers but businesses would be restricted.

“Why won’t (the state government) listen to the engine room of the economy, our small and medium businesses?” he said.

“Every single business in Townsville has a QR code, has a Covid-safe plan and has abided by the rules with no Covid being in Townsville for well over a year.

“To have 30,000 people in stadium but you can’t have more than 50 per cent occupancy at a restaurant, a bar or a cafe is just ludicrous.”