Covid: Kiama Leagues Club warns patrons and worker must be jabbed to reopen

A popular south coast leagues club has warned punters only the vaccinated are likely to be allowed back inside post lockdown. Is this fair? Vote in our poll.

Kiama Leagues Club has warned patrons they will only be able to open its doors to people who have been vaccinated after Covid.

General manager Jesse O’Brien sent a letter to members this week about getting vaccinated, causing a stir online.

“It’s likely that businesses, including clubs, could be given the all clear to remain open during lockdowns, but only for the fully vaccinated,” the letter reads.

Kiama Leagues Club wrote to members about getting vaccinated this week.

“Under a proposal drawn up by NSW Government ministers, bars, restaurants and gyms could reportedly reopen to those who have received both jabs once NSW hits its 70 per cent vaccination target ... it is likely that the club may be forced to only allow entry to vaccinated patrons.”

Mr O’Brien said: “I think it may have been a bit misinterpreted as encouragement to get vaccinated. The idea of the notice was more advice for members that we may have our hands tied.”

Jazzie Jay wrote on Facebook, it was “eliminating business they could have had”.

She encouraged people who were vaccinated to “double eat up and drink up to ensure they stay open”.

“What a disgrace”, wrote Belinda Vian, and James Theobald claimed it was “discrimination”.

Plans to reopen the economy to the double vaxxed were on Wednesday confirmed by Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who said businesses across the state would also have to provide proof staff are vaccinated against Covid-19.

Mr O’Brien said the letter sent by the club was to “inform members” of the government’s plans, so they “weren’t caught off guard” when the doors were reopened.

“If there’s another lockdown and we are allowed to stay open to the public, but only the vaccinated … we wanted them to know,” he said.

“It takes some time to get vaccinated and to get booked in.”

The Kiama LGA has the highest vaccination rate in the Illawarra-south coast region, with more than 44 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

Bega Valley has 41 per cent of the population vaccinated, 40 per cent of the Eurobodalla have both jabs, 33 per cent of Shellharbour, 36 per cent of Wollongong residents, and 39 per cent of the Shoalhaven are fully vaccinated.

On Thursday, the Illawarra recorded 22 cases, of those 15 are from the Wollongong local government area and seven are from the Shellharbour.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro confirmed businesses will have to prove staff are vaccinated, and will only be able to open to double vaccinated customers. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Mr Barilaro told the media technology to include vaccination registration as part of the QR code check-in system was being finalised, with the state planning to relax restrictions when vaccine rates hit 70 per cent.

“For customers, when you check-in there will be an indication that you have been vaccinated, or not,” he said. “For businesses, they will have to register, and register their staff.”

Mr O’Brien said the biggest hurdle would be dealing with unvaccinated people who were denied entry.

“It will be easy enough to monitor and run, but if we have to go down that path, the trick will be dealing with the people who are upset by the ruling we have to go by,” he said.

“We will have to mitigate that, but Kiama seems to be reporting great vaccination rates compared to other LGAs.”

More information is expected to be released to businesses in the coming weeks.

Kiama Leagues Club has warned patrons it won’t let unvaccinated patrons in.

Mr O’Brien is vaccinated, and said some of his staff were fully vaccinated, while others were willing to get the jab, but awaiting appointments.

“By all accounts they (staff) were trying to get the vaccine, or trying to get the vaccine. Supply was the biggest issue when we called around and asked them,” he said.

“I think the rates are down more so by supply, rather than will, at this point.”

With about 12,000 members, he hopes the club can reopen in the next three to six months under whatever restrictions are imposed.

“I think mask wearing is going to be around for some time, and ultimately it would be great to get the club back to two square metres, but I think four square metres will be even beyond Christmas as well,” Mr O’Brien said.