Omicron outbreak: Chiswick, Chophouse, Icebergs, Shell House and Porteno restaurants among thousands to shut

The number of eateries closing their doors due to Omicron could be in the thousands, says an industry heavyweight, who has urged the NSW government to act.

Just when they thought the worst over, “possibly thousands” of restaurants, bars and cafes are being forced to shut at the busiest time of the year.

On Tuesday the massive Solotel group temporarily closed three restaurants — Chiswick, Chophouse and Goros — due to the impact of a single staff Omicron case at each site and the isolation of casual contact colleagues for up to 72 hours, as PCR test result times blow out.

The group has had 2000 guests a day cancel in the past week.

Solotel CEO Elliot Solomon said it may shut multiple sites until the New Year.

Solotel CEO Elliot Solomon and Chiswick restaurant assistant manager Anna Zaganelli. Picture: Richard Dobson

“It’s definitely not a sustainable way to run a business; I’m not sure what the solution is,” Mr Solomon told The Daily Telegraph.

“I don’t think anyone expected that when we reopened we’d have more Covid cases than ever.”

Porteno group has closed eateries until January 4.

Hot CBD venue Shell House has shut until then as well, just weeks after it opened its $14 million Sky Bar restaurant.

Shell House’s website notifies customers of Sky Bar’s closure.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar at Bondi has cancelled its $450-a-head New Year’s Day event.

Restaurant & Catering Industry Association CEO Wes Lambert said “possibly thousands” of venues were forced into closure due to Covid cases and consequent staff shortages.

Mr Lambert told The Telegraph that hospitality had been hit by the “perfect storm” following the end of compulsory mask-wearing, QR code check-ins and vaccination status disclosure.

Asked whether he believed these measures should be reintroduced, Mr Lambert said: “It is imperative that the NSW government considers the safest and best practices to ensure that the hospitality industry can continue to recover into 2022 and doesn’t spiral into lockdown-level revenues.”

Ms Zaganelli said business has gone from one extreme to the other. Picture: Richard Dobson

Reopening had been the “right decision”, Mr Lambert said, because “no one could have predicted there would be so many Omicron infections”.

However, consumers had become conditioned to tracking case numbers, which was destroying demand, he said.

Chiswick assistant manager Anna Zaganelli said that until recently she didn’t know anyone who had contracted Covid.

“Now they are just coming up everywhere” across the hospitality industry, Ms Zaganelli said.

Icebergs at Bondi has cancelled its $450-a-head New Year's Day event.

A short time ago business had been strong, with the staff operating at what felt like 120 per cent, she said.

“But last week, covers (bookings) were just dropping like flies,” she said. “It went from one end to the other end. At the moment I don’t really see a way out.”

Mr Solomon said it would make a “really big difference” if PCR test results were available in 24 hours.

Porteno, Shell House and Icebergs did not respond to requests for comment.