Coronavirus: Backpacker hostels exempt from social distancing
Sydney hostels are allowed to offer beds with as many as six people to a room, despite the social distancing rules which are in place to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Manly
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Backpacker hostels in tourist hotspot Manly are still able to advertise rooms with up to six beds despite a statewide crackdown due to an exception that allows them to avoid strict social distancing measures.
According to the NSW Health website the Gatherings Order which requires four square metres of space for each person on a premises does not apply to essential gatherings.
“A gathering at a hotel, motel or other accommodation facility that is necessary for the normal operation of accommodation services at that hotel, motel or other facility, is not prohibited by the Gatherings Order,” the NSW Health website reads.
One hostel in Manly, Stoke Beach House, has been advertising online for six beds in 18sqm rooms and four beds in 12sqm rooms but that’s coming to an end today.
It has requested third party websites to take down advertising as they look to put stricter measures in place.
The business also states on its website it is taking precautions by carrying out extra cleaning services, denying access to people assessed as “high risk” and the cancellation of events.
The owner of Stoke Beach House, Lachie Paramor told the Manly Daily they are going “above and beyond” regulations and guidelines made by NSW Health.
“The only reason we’re open now is for humanitarian needs. We have deliberately tried to get people to go home to their home countries but some people will have nowhere else to go,” he said.
“We’re down to the bare minimum with only 25 per cent occupancy. We only want one person per room or one couple per room because if we have too many people we can’t keep up with social distancing.
“Today we’ve gone into full containment mode because we don’t want to put our guests and staff at risk. In my view the regulatory environment is not keeping pace with the situation so I’m taking a best practice approach and going above and beyond guidelines.”
Meanwhile, Manly Bunkhouse is also advertising rooms with six beds in a mixed dormitory which is 34 square metres on booking.com but when the Manly Daily approached the business for a comment, a spokeswoman said only twin beds or a single bed to a room were available. She declined to make further comment.
It’s the same in Bondi where a number of hostels appear to be taking bookings for dorm rooms for up to eight people.
However, some hostel owners are making changes.
Noah’s Bondi Beach has seen the number of backpackers crash since the crisis unfolded. It has about 100 people left staying there and it is taking extra measures to keep the premises clean and space guests out.
Eight bed dorms are now catering for four people, while four bed dorms are restricted to two.
“We are trying to abide by the spacing requirements and we have asked guests to respect social distancing rules and wash their hands,” manager Dylan Tembrink said.
“We are regularly spraying down surfaces that are regularly touched.
“If we were to get one case it would be detrimental to our business.”
Several people staying at the hostel have been tested for COVID-19 but returned negative results.
Mr Tembrink said he is concerned that if there is an order to close hostels a lot of people will have nowhere to go and that’s why they are taking extra precautions. Noah’s is the largest backpackers’ accommodation in Bondi and usually caters for about 260 guests.
“I live here too. It’s essential we remain safe for everyone,” he said.
Manly MP James Griffin confirmed hostels have been deemed as places of “essential gatherings” which means the four square metre rule doe not apply.
“My message to our community is that we are in this together. That means everyone, including visitors to our community must do the right thing and respect the advice around social distancing,” Mr Griffin said.
“Make no mistake, the NSW Government is serious about this. As of this week, police have greater powers to enforce orders under the Public Health Act 2010 to keep people safe.
“I want to thank all the local businesses who are being vigilant and staying up to date with the latest health advice.
“Working together with the Northern Beaches Council and the police, we will continue to support people, monitor and enforce the latest advice around business operations and social distancing requirements.”
NSW Health has been approached for comment.