Businesses plea with Premier to stay open amid outbreak

Hospitality and tourism businesses are begging the government to let them stay open as authorities try to contain the latest COVID outbreak in Brisbane’s southwest.

Desperate hospitality businesses are pleading with the state government to let them remain open and use common sense to combat the latest outbreak of COVID-19.

Cafes and restaurants on the frontline of the latest COVID-19 breakout fear they will be forced to close if the virus is not brought under control.

Many are now begging the state government to have faith in their COVID-19 plan and allow businesses to remain open.

At Marsden, Coffee on Browns co-owner Nequa Knight said her cafe had strict sanitisation and contact-tracing protocols in place to ensure the safety of customers.

She fears the cafe, which she has operated with her mother Cillz for two years, could be forced to close.

“We don’t want to be shut down because what we’re doing is good,” she said.

“We sanitise the cafe every hour and we allow visitors to dine in but we still use takeaway containers and cups.”

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The latest cluster is the second to affect Ms Knight’s cafe after the three Logan girls returned from Melbourne last month and tested positive to COVID-19.

Ms Knight, 25, said it was “nerve-racking” to operate in the epicentre of the outbreaks.

Research released by Deloitte Access Economics last month revealed up to 80 per cent of hospitality businesses had accessed the JobKeeper scheme after recording a significant drop in trade.

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Simple Bliss owner Denise Richardson says another lockdown would be disastrous for her business. Picture: Liam Kidston

Bliss Coffee owner Denise Richardson acknowledged the uncertainty of working during COVID-19 had “been a struggle”.

“Some people are just over it … I’m over it,” she said.

Ms Richardson said cafes and restaurants should stay open and urged people to take responsibility for their actions.

“Stay at home if you’re sick,” she said.

The business owner, who opened the cafe 18 months ago, said it would be tough to continue if lockdowns were reintroduced.

“It’s going to be hard work but I’ve got to get through it because it’s my livelihood and I’ve got no other choice,” she said.

In Ipswich, Yard on Glebe owner Letesha Dean said the April lockdown resulted in the “worst-ever month” of trade for her business.

Ms Dean, 27, said her cafe was now abiding by a strict COVID-19 plan to “do our bit” for the community.

“We definitely don’t want to go into lockdown,” she said.

“It was hard for that one month and we got through it so hopefully it doesn’t hit again.”

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind said the six new virus cases was “obviously disheartening” after Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young urged people in the Greater Brisbane area to consider staying at home this weekend.

Mr Gschwind said his industry was committed to safety, however, admitted the new cluster would create further pressure on an industry already struggling.

“This seems to be an endless road through the darkness,” he said.

“It is an emotional rollercoaster which is very difficult for businesses to maintain.”

Mr Gschwind said it was difficult for tourism businesses to stay abreast of the changes.

“The ramping up and down is a very difficult prospect for any sized business,” he said.

“It takes an emotional toll on all of us including business operators who are really at the end of their tether.”

Originally published as Businesses plea with Premier to stay open amid outbreak