Businesses face $55k fines for serving unvaccinated customers as owners say unvaccinated welcome
Hundreds of business owners say unjabbed people are welcome despite vaccination rules set to be imposed when the state reaches a double-dose rate of 70 per cent — with fines of up to $55,000.
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Business owners could face fines of up to $55,000 for breaching proposed public health orders which will restrict them to only serving fully vaccinated customers — as a growing number slam plans for NSW Government regulations expected to be rolled out next month.
An expansive community of business owners across the state say unvaccinated people will be welcomed despite State Government regulations which will restrict access to venues to double-vaccinated patrons.
Last month, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro revealed businesses will need to prove all staff and customers are vaccinated in order to open to the double-jabbed public when the state reaches 70 per cent in October.
The Deputy Premier warned businesses and unvaccinated customers would face “significant fines” if they are caught at a venue without being vaccinated.
A Controversial jab or no jab Facebook page dedicated to the NSW Hunter Region has seen thousands of people promoting “pro-choice businesses” once the lockdowns are lifted.
‘Newcastle, Hunter and Port Stephens businesses welcome jab or no jab’ is encouraging businesses across the region to continue to serve their customers regardless if they are vaccinated or not.
With more than four and a half thousand members, businesses are promoting their services online to support the cause.
“Jab or no Jab, you are all welcome to be pampered in our relaxed environment. I look forward to seeing everyone real soon,” the owner of Studio 77 hair and beauty in Rutherford commented on the page.
Full Throttle at Beresfield also chimed in, “Good BBQ never discriminates. Everyone is welcome.”
Two pubs in the Hunter Valley have also shared their intentions of “accepting everyone”.
The iconic Ellalong Hotel vowed to accept all walks of life into their pub.
“We don’t care if you are vaccinated or not vaccinated, if you are fat, thin, tall or vertically challenged, gay, straight, white, black, hot or down right ugly or even a dragons supporter. We welcome all,” it said on its Facebook page.
“United we stand – divided we fall. Save Australia. Some things are worth fighting for,” continued the post.
It garnered more than 150 comments, with a majority congratulating the pub for their stance.
“First place I’m going for a feed,” one person said.
“What a fantastic, inclusive business,” another person commented.
While some were cautious of the statement.
“Pretty much guarantee the police will be there upon opening checking vaccine certificates, if you’re not vaccinated no entry,” they said.
Meanwhile, The Caledonian Hotel in Singleton, which put a giant banner out the front promoting ‘Free Australia’, has also joined the ranks of businesses wanting to invite everyone, including those without the jab.
“The Caledonian Hotel under the Australian constitution 1901 will abide by all law and will never discriminate against anyone,” it said on its Facebook page after refusing to speak to “mainstream media”.
“Everyone is welcome at the Cali! Kind regards management Calendonian Hotel,” it read.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said it was disappointing that there are people out there who would choose to put others at risk, but cited confusing information.
“Businesses making these decisions for themselves shows that there is a large information void coming from the NSW Government about how they can operate on reopening,” he said.
“There should be no room for interpretation in this Public Health Order, and businesses need to be given plenty of notice as to what their rights and responsibilities will be.
Meanwhile, Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison agreed the message to businesses are confusing.
“I’ve spoken with small businesses who are concerned about their liabilities if they enforce, or don’t enforce, vaccination,” she said.
“They are after very clear information and certainty from this government.”
The Deputy Premier said he was “not interested” in Facebook pages criticising the public health orders.
“You don’t have to open at 70 per cent, no one if forcing you,” he said. “But if you choose to reopen, it will be under the parameters of the public health order.
“Under Work Health and Safety legislation, employers have the responsibility to keep their staff safe — and in this case, safe from Covid.”
Mr Barilaro said there would be “fines for people who do the wrong thing” however, a set amount for the infringement had not been determined by the NSW Government.
“First point of clarification is what do fines look like in relation to regulating it, and what are the mechanisms we put into businesses.
“I don’t want to put any more onus on business owners — if I don’t feel comfortable that businesses have the ability to turn away customers and enforce the rules, then I don’t want to punish businesses for that.
“Most businesses owners will not have an excuse to say that they didn’t check the QR code because there is already an obligation to do so.”
The Deputy Premier also revealed businesses in regional settings could be used to trial the vaccination passport as part of the QR code check in system.
The breaching of public health orders currently imposed by the NSW Government results in a maximum penalty of $11,000, or imprisonment for six months.
While on-the-spot fines of up to $3000 can be issued to people breaching the orders.
However, NSW Government regulations say the penalty for businesses increases to $55,000 for a breach of public health orders, and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said “it will be the law” that unvaccinated people cannot attend reopening businesses under the NSW road map.
“You can’t go into a hospitality venue, you can’t go to ticketed events unless you are vaccinated,” she said.
Attempts were made to contact the administrators of the Facebook group.
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