The Grand Hotel Healesville says Covid jab or no jab everyone welcome

Some venue operators are proposing a “no jab, no entry” approach after lockdown, but a Healesville hotel is taking a different view.

A post on the pub’s Facebook page said: “Jab or No Jab, everyone is welcome at the Grand Hotel Healesville.”

The operators of a Yarra Valley pub say they will welcome everyone through their doors after lockdown, even if they’re not vaccinated.

With the state government urging all Victorians to get the jab, and many venue owners and event organisers planning a no jab, no entry policy, The Grand Hotel Healesville has taken a different view.

In a post on its Facebook page on Monday, the pub posted an image which said: “Jab or No Jab everyone is welcome at The Grand Hotel Healesville” followed by a series of hashtags including #allwelcome #allwelcomehere #jabornojab #wewillnotbedivided #supportfamilybusiness #supportlocal #supportlocalbusiness #supporthospitality #supportyourpub #wesupportyourdecision #wesupportyourchoice.

More than 12,000 people have commented on the post, with opinions divided.

Kristy, a healthcare worker for more than 22 years, said the post was disappointing.

“I will not dine or drink in a business that actively promotes non-vaccination,” she wrote.

Karina said: “I certainly won’t be going there in a hurry if this is the way they think about the community”, while John said: “This is a pub I definitely won’t visit.”

But Zoe said “Love this. Good on you guys. It’s such a delight to see not all are discriminating those who chose not to have a jab,” while Bec said “Thank you for being on the right side of history”.

Yarra Ranges Tourism chief executive Simon O’Callaghan did not want to comment directly on the pub’s post, but said even if people had different opinions, it may become mandatory for patrons to be vaccinated before they were allowed to enter a licenced venue.

“There is a lot of talk that we may have to show our vaccination passport for a whole range of things,” he said.

“It’s just too early to tell whether people will have a choice on this matter as an industry operator in a particular sector that is governed by health regulations.

“Most of our tourism industry are looking to embrace whatever is required to get back open again, because people’s jobs and livelihoods are just too important.”

In a follow up post on Wednesday, the pub owners said they didn’t expect the post to go viral and clarified their views.

“We just want to let you all know that we are not anti-vaxxers or non-Covid believers,’’ they wrote.

“We believe in people making the right choice for them and we will not discriminate those, for whatever reason, who choose not to get the jab.

“The post was simply to say that when we finally are able to open up, we won’t discriminate against anyone. If, however, the law changes and it becomes mandatory to enter a business with a passport, then we will have no choice and will abide by the law.”

The state’s chief health officer Brett Sutton on Tuesday pleaded with Victorians to get the jab, revealing low vaccination rates in areas where cases are rising.

“Especially if you’re over 60 years of age and you’re waiting for a vaccine – please don’t,” he said.

“Please get a vaccine that is available for you right now.”

Professor Sutton said the people in intensive care in Victoria with Covid were either not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated.