Businesses, developers rebel against tough Covid-19 lock outs for unvaccinated
Business leaders are warning of growing public uproar, angst and pushback from operators as the state gears up for a mandate banning unvaccinated people from venues.
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BUSINESS leaders are warning of growing public uproar, angst and pushback from operators as the state gears up for a mandate banning unvaccinated people from venues.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement that people without Covid-19 vaccinations would not be allowed in pubs, cafes, cinemas, stadiums, shopping centres and other venues from December 17 has divided the business community.
Gold Coast developer Greg Rix has savaged the mandate, saying it would only create division.
“It’s going to create an enormous amount of angst with shoppers – there is going to be arguments and uproar,” the Rix Developments director said.
“There is going to be more and more pushback as the reality of what is coming starts to set in.”
He said many aspects of the plan had been left up to venue operators and mum-and-dad businesses to solve – who would face the consequences if something went wrong.
“The responsibility for sorting this out has fallen in the lap of small business. What a disgrace,” Mr Rix said.
“I have spoken to a hotelier who has five entrances at one of his hotels. He will have to place a check-in person at each door to check vaccinations.
“This means his wage bill will increase by $3500 to $4000 at one venue each week.”
With children under 12 not able to get the jab, businesses would have to work out the age of children entering their premises, he said.
By shutting out the unvaccinated, businesses also faced the task of firing staff who haven’t received the jab and turning their backs on 20 per cent of their customer base.
Small Business Association of Australia CEO Anne Nalder said the policy created a “minefield” for small firms, who would find it hard to turn away unvaccinated customers.
“A lot of business owners are in a dilemma because they might have loyal customers, a lot of people know each other, and they might have to refuse those people,” Ms Nalder said.
“I know plenty of business owners on the Gold Coast who said they will welcome anybody who comes into their shop.
“But if you face a major fine for doing this, that becomes a different kettle of fish.”
Ms Nalder said her association, which is based in Nerang, represented both vaccinated and unvaccinated business owners throughout Australia and was understanding of both sides of the argument.
But she said many smaller businesses would not have the staff to deal with customers who became unruly if they were refused service for failing to show proof of vaccination.
“It depends on the size of the business, how many staff they’ve got, what ages they are, but you are putting them in the firing line to do work that they are not trained for, Ms Nalder said.
“You might have a young shop assistant or an older person who is very good at their work, but they do not know how to deal with people who blow up.
“Some people will be angry. You are putting people into a stressful situation.”
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll on Tuesday said police did not expect businesses to police vaccination status but noncompliance would not be tolerated.
She said businesses should display the rules and ask people to show that they were vaccinated.
“If there is no evidence, they can ask them to leave,” she said.
“And if they don’t leave, they can call the police.”
Respected criminal lawyer Bill Potts said operators could face legal ramifications if they chose to ignore the mandate.
“At the present moment, chief health officers are able to direct businesses as to whether unvaccinated people can be admitted into places to which the public have access,” Mr Potts said.
“This is a very fraught area and I think governments around the country are going to increasingly see these types of disputes spilling over into the courts.”
EARLIER: THE Gold Coast business lobby is hailing plans to lift most restrictions for fully vaccinated Queenslanders from the middle of next month, saying the “end was in sight”.
On Tuesday morning, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said from December 17, once the state population is tipped to hit 80 per cent double vaccinated, no more Covid-19 restrictions would apply to hospitality venues, stadiums, festivals, libraries and more.
But there was a catch. Patrons or users had to be double dosed with Covid vaccine.
It means the unvaccinated will be banned from most venues from that date with police to enforce the policy.
Events at all state government stadiums including Suncorp, The Gabba, Queensland Country Bank and Metricon will be for fully vaccinated Queenslanders only, including staff.
In addition, only vaccinated people will be allowed to visit aged care facilities, hospitals, prisons and disability services except in the case of end of life, childbirth or emergencies.
“There will be no restrictions on densities as soon as Queensland hits 80 per cent vaccinated,” she said. “Queenslanders have shown time and time again that they’re prepared to step up.”
Ms Palaszczuk said she was sure businesses would do the right thing because they would not want their patrons falling sick with Covid.
There was still a lot of logistic planning for how the hard road border would operate once interstate borders were open and there were different rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall hailed the easing of rules for vaccinated people as a “really good day” for the city, saying the “end was in sight” after a tough run for local businesses.
Mr Hall said businesses were “really happy” restrictions were lifting, but cautioned they would need support from authorities if conflicts arose over the vaccination status of customers.
“It’s good news the reopening is actually going to happen. We’re really happy we’ll have unrestricted trading for businesses for vaccinated people, but we need to make sure there is support.
“Businesses will not turn down the opportunity to trade, but we don’t then want to have an increased risk of any sort of conflict when people turn people away who aren’t vaccinated. And we know that’s going to happen.
“You look at somewhere like Surfers or Broadbeach, you’re going to have hundreds pouring into a venue within a very small window.
“We just don’t want additional issues emanating from that.”
Mr Hall said Gold Coast businesses had been taking a “measured approach” when deciding whether to mandate vaccines for staff until now, but that could change after the Premier’s announcement.
“If there’s advantages to everyone being vaccinated because there is a complete removal of restrictions then that’s going to change the appetite of businesses to look at mandating vaccines for their staff,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a carrot and stick approach at this stage.
“But what we do need is support from the state to make that as easy as possible. I don’t think we’re there yet.”
General Practice Gold Coast member Dr Lisa Beecham said it was disappointing the Gold Coast was lagging and she was hopeful the new rules would help push residents to get vaccinated.
“This is our best chance and we are running on borrowed time,” she said. “I’m frightened about Covid and how we’ll cope once community transmission starts occurring. One dose is better than none so come and get your first dose now, tomorrow, this week.”
Dr Krista Talbot, of Broadbeach Family Practice said the December 17 deadline would definitely help convince many patients who were sitting on the fence in regards to vaccination.
“This new December 17 mandate will definitely push a lot of hesitant younger patients to have the Covid vaccination because they’ll realise it will start to impact on their lifestyle choices,” she said.
“Everyone has different priorities and some will say their lives will be too painful without access to services and venues they enjoy.”
BREAKING: Fully vaccinated Queenslanders will be rewarded to keep our freedoms from 17 December or when we reach the 80% double dosed milestone. #covid19pic.twitter.com/WICAlLvxl0
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) November 9, 2021
Only people who are fully vaccinated in Queensland will be allowed in:
* Hospitality venues including pubs, clubs, hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes.
* Queensland government stadiums.
* Entertainment venues including live music and karaoke bars.
* Indoor and outdoor music festivals.
* Government-owned galleries, museums and libraries.
* Aged care, hospitals, prisons and disabilitiy services except in end of life, childbirth or emergencies.
For the unvaccinated:
* Vulnerable settings such as aged care, hospitals, prisons and disability services must not allow unvaccinated visitors. Unvaccinated visitors can visit for the purposes of end of life, childbirth or an emergency situation.
* Hospitality venues and indoor entertainment venues: Only vaccinated staff and patrons are permitted to enter. In circumstances where there is private hire with unvaccinated individuals density limits apply.
* Outdoor entertainment activities: Only vaccinated staff and patrons permitted to enter.
* Festivals; music, arts, folk etc: Only vaccinated staff and patrons permitted to enter including performers, crew, catering and food trucks.
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* Weddings: Unvaccinated people can attend, but only if there is a maximum of 20 people in attendance.
* Other settings; essential retail, other eretail, public transport etc: Covid-19 density restrictions may still apply.
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