North Coast businesses closed due to Covid outbreak

Some businesses are being forced to close or change their hours as staff shortages cripple the North Coast. See what has already shut.

The latest Covid-19 outbreak has crippled many North Coast businesses as they struggle to secure rapid antigen tests or staff.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Australians on Thursday that up to 10 per cent of the workforce at the peak of the virus might be away from work sick.

Indeed it seems many locally are already struggling.

Business NSW Northern Rivers regional manager Jane Laverty said the community’s high hopes for a “summer of recovery” had been shattered.

“We have seen nearly every holiday period in the past two years impacted significantly by Covid and preceded by bushfire impacts,” she said.

Here are some of the businesses that were closed or had adjusted hours, as of January 14.

– Mullumbimby Pool: Is closed until January 19.

– Byron Resource Recovery Centre tip shop at Myocum: Closed until the end of January. The Resource Recovery Centre will remain open for waste drop-off and the purchase of mulch.

- Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah Customer Service council counters: Closed for three weeks, until February 4. Tweed Shire Council said phone, live chat (from Monday 17 January) and social media services are still available.

- Tweed Regional Gallery: Hours have been reduced to 10:30 am—2:30pm from Wednesday to Sunday. Daily guided tours are at 11:30 am – 11:50 am, with a maximum of four attendees per tour and the café will be open 8:30 am —3 pm.

– Lismore Red Cross Branch / Tea Rooms: The Lismore Red Cross has extended its holiday closure. It will reopen the tea rooms on the January 31.

– Lismore Workers Club: Is shortening their trading hours at the main club in Keen Street from January 13. Sundays — Thursday hours are 11am — 7.30pm, and Friday to Saturday from 11am — 8.30pm. These hours will likely remain in place until at least January 24.

– Benchtop Espresso: Are adjusting hours to 6am — 2pm from Monday to Sunday due to staff shortages from January 12.

– Rous Hotel: Due to Covid-19 new bistro trading hours are Monday to Saturday 12.30—2pm for lunch, Wednesday to Saturday 6—8pm for dinner. Bistro hours are Monday and Tuesday 10am-7.30pm, Wednesday 10am — 10pm, Thursday and Friday 10am — 11pm, Saturday 10am until late and Sunday 12—6pm. Hours may also vary due to patron numbers.

– Wharf Bar and Restaurant: Is currently closed and working to reopen as soon as possible as of January 12.

– Mezza at the Point: Is open but currently changing to a bookings essential model to assist with demand. Bookings can be made on [phone].

– The Slipway Hotel: Will close their kitchen on January 16 for lunch and dinner. The bar and other facilities will still be open as usual and the kitchen will be operational on the Friday and Saturday of this week.

– Potager: Sunday January 16 is the last day of opening before the restaurant closes for a break until February 4.

– Harvest Newrybar restaurant: Will be reducing its hours to five days for a week from January 12. It will be temporarily closed on January 17-18 too. The Harvest Deli and Bakery will operate normal hours.

– Suffolk Bakery: Is still open however is closing cake orders until further notice

– Tucker Casuarina: Is doing reduced hours until Sunday. Kitchen will be open until 11.30am and coffee available until midday on Saturday, June 15.

– Rif Raf Espresso: The Bogangar cafe announced on Saturday, it will remain closed for the time being to keep the community safe.

Do you have a business to add to this list? Add it in the comment below or contact us on [e-mail]