Flinders St quiet amid coronavirus fears

A Townsville tavern owner has slammed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for saying there was “no common sense in going to the pub”, leading to business haemorrhaging and costing the city jobs.

CORONAVIRUS might not have quite turned Townsville into a ghost town at the weekend but it was eerily quiet.

The normally packed Flinders and Palmer St precincts had plenty of parking spaces and some venues only had groups of one or two people inside after stricter social distancing rules began on Friday.

On Friday staff at Flinders St nightclubs and pubs said it was very quiet and like a midweek night.

Outdoor dining areas on Palmer St, usually packed, were almost empty.

Paige Cheeseman, (MIDDLE) with friends Piper Hawks and Kashana Eaton PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

The threat of coronavirus did not stop Paige Cheeseman heading out for a drink with some friends on Flinders St on Friday night. However, like many people she did have some worries.

“We work with children so we wash our hands 10 times a day or more, and we’re constantly using hand sanitiser and everything,” Ms Cheeseman said.

“I just feel like if I was going to get coronavirus I would’ve had it by now.

“I’m worried about it because my mum has diabetes and my brother as well, and my sister has asthma so I am worried about getting it and giving it to them but I don’t know.

“It’s not that big in Townsville yet and I’m not as afraid as if I were in Brisbane or Melbourne or something.”

Mark Napier, the owner of Mad Cow Tavern was critical of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for saying there was “no common sense in going to the pub”.

Mr Napier said the local hospitality industry was looking for “confidence and support” from the State Government but was instead met with comments that chastised it.

“Up to 80 per cent of cafe, pub, club and restaurant employees have been laid off as of the weekend due to the restrictions with them near or more than 80 per cent down on trade already due to the restrictions,” he said.

“Why is Townsville on restrictions with, as of (Saturday when Senator Susan McDonald was cleared of the virus), zero local cases?”

Mark Napier, Mad Cow Tavern Owner.

The restrictions were introduced by the Federal Government on Friday in the wake of the spread of COVID-19. They apply to all venues across Australia.

A spokesman for the Premier said she had acknowledged on Friday that pubs would be impacted and the government was aware of the economic impact of the global pandemic.

“The best way Queenslanders can protect themselves is to reduce their social interactions and practice social distancing,” the spokesman said.

During a press conference yesterday, Ms Palaszczuk said people would be able to go to the pub with their mates when this was all over. “We need to be strong and we need to be tough and everyone needs to play their part,” she said.

Mr Napier said the industry understood the guidelines issued by the Federal Government and put measures in place to reduce the likelihood of spreading COVID-19 among staff and patrons.

He said the Mad Cow remained open and had made a takeaway menu available.

Grill’d business partner Paul Fitzgerald said trade was “definitely down” across the two stores in Palmer St and in Fairfield but he was heartened by the support of many locals who opted to continue dining out or get a meal delivered at home.

Mr Fitzgerald said both restaurants complied with the guidelines of having fewer than 100 people inside, with the Palmer St venue sitting 55 and Fairfield accommodating 40 inside. He said there was also plenty of space outdoors at both restaurants.

For some businesses, the effects of the self-isolating restrictions were not felt as severely.

Juliette’s supervisor Michaela Blakes said business had been “pretty constant” on Saturday.

“We haven’t noticed a huge impact just yet. We’re still fully staffing the place,” she said.

Originally published as Flinders St quiet amid coronavirus fears