Victorian, NSW premiers slammed for shunning national reopening plan

The NSW and Victorian premiers have been slammed by industry groups for taking a conservative approach and ignoring the national plan to reopen.

The Victorian and NSW premiers have been slammed by industry leaders for ignoring the National Plan to reopen the nation.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Monday detailed a new 90 per cent double-vaxxed target for opening up the state, despite the national plan that she and Daniel Andrews signed up to committing to a relaxation of most restrictions at 80 per cent.

In Victoria, Mr Andrews refused to even commit to matching NSW’s proposed freedoms at 90 per cent.

Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang slammed the “glacial movement to opening up by the premiers”.

“Our political leaders need to understand that business owners and their staff cannot continue to wait,” Mr Lang said.

“Many have been unable to trade for 19 months.

“On behalf of small businesses in NSW and Victoria, Small Business Australia is urging both governments to allow fully vaccinated businesses to trade with those who are fully vaccinated.

“If it is safe for them to do so at 80 per cent, then why is it unsafe for them to trade with each other now?

Premier Gladys Berejiklian gives a COVID-19 update on September 27, 2021 in Sydney to outline details for reopening post lockdown. Picture: Joel Carrett/Getty Images

“What we do not need is time wasted on trials, or goalposts shifting to 90 per cent before businesses can fully trade.

“There is an urgency here that neither Gladys Berejiklian, Daniel Andrews or their health bureaucrats seem to understand and it is time to follow the world by getting our businesses and our people freed – the time for waiting needs to be over.

“The Delta variant should have taught Australia … you cannot hold this virus out.

“Instead of a policy of suppression we need to move to a policy of ‘living with Covid’ that should start today for the vaccinated and all in the community once we reach the point when anyone who can have had the vaccination, has had the opportunity to do so, with that date set clearly for reopening, with all restrictions removed and the borders open.”

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews announcing latest Covid-19 infection cases across the state. Picture : NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

The Australian Hotels Association echoed Mr Lang’s comments, with NSW Director of Liquor and Policing John Green welcoming the “clarity” on NSW’s plan to reopen but sharing ”disappointment” remained.

Mr Green said the 25 per cent indoor capacity limits at 70 and 80 per cent would cripple smaller venues and dozens of pubs and clubs had seen bookings stripped due to the cap on 20 people per group dining in.

“We‘re disappointed venue owners will have to wait until December 1 to have 50 per cent capacity … venues, especially smaller ones will continue to struggle,” Mr Green said.

“And the limitation of 20 people per booking through to December will have a massive impact. Venues were taking group bookings for Melbourne Cup lunches, early corporate Christmas celebrations, and many have been scrapped.”

He added: “Large venues have the capacity, they’re blessed with space... it’s disappointing, particularly when by December unless there’s a slowing of vaccination rates, we’ll be well over 90 per cent of the population with a double dose.”

Travel into regional NSW being delayed until the 80 per cent milestone would also hit rural venues hard, he said, especially once unvaccinated patrons in bush areas are barred from entry at 70 per cent.

Mr Green called for ongoing financial support for hotels and venues as restrictions shift, and asked officials to consider allowing unvaccinated patrons in pockets of NSW until their vaccination rates catch up.

“Small venues in Regional NSW won‘t be able to open when this law comes in, especially if people from Greater Sydney can’t travel to replace the locals who can’t come in anymore because they’re not vaccinated yet,” Mr Green added.

“We‘d like to be able to help the NSW economy, employ our staff … but business owners are telling us they won’t be able to manage because of the restrictions.”

Under a three-stage plan, many freedoms will return for all in NSW on December 1 regardless of their vaccination status, when the state government expects more than 90 per cent of the eligible population to be double-dosed.

Only under that new stage will limits on household visitors and informal outdoor gatherings be scrapped and a one person per 2sq m rule across almost all settings be put in place.

Caps on patron numbers will be ditched and bosses will be able to require staff to return to the office.

While Small Business Australia condemned the NSW and Victorian premiers, other industry leaders said Mr Andrews should at least match NSW’s plan.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra said many Victorians would be looking at the NSW road map with envy.

“Unlike us, restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars will not be subject to venue caps when they reach 80 per cent vaccination rates,” he said.

“It is crucial that these caps be removed from the Victorian road map to give the sector the best chance at bouncing back and making the most of the busy festive and summer season.

“Victorian couples and venues also want the same rules for weddings as NSW, where density caps will no longer apply once the 80 per cent double dose level is achieved.”

Under Victoria’s road map a number of restrictions will remain in force even after the state hits an 80 per cent fully vaccinated target, including a cap on visitors to the home, public gatherings, and limits at hospitality venues.