1500 Territorians to head back to work when NT eateries, pubs reopen on Friday
THE reopening of cafes, pubs and restaurants in the NT on Friday will result in the return of 1500 jobs, according to the peak industry body.
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THE reopening of cafes, pubs and restaurants in the NT on Friday will result in the return of 1500 jobs, according to the peak industry body.
At noon on Friday cafes, pubs, restaurants, gyms, and beauticians will be able to reopen with some restriction under Stage 2 of the NT’s coronavirus restriction rollback.
Stage 3 will come into effect on June 5.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said Hospitality NT figures showed 1500 jobs would return once Stage 2 restrictions were eased.
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The return of jobs, which represents about 13 per cent of positions already lost in the NT, comes as more than 830 businesses prepare to reopen by submitting coronavirus safety plans with the Government.
Alongside other industries that can come out of hibernation on Friday, Mr Gunner said “thousands of Territorians” would be back at work.
Five of those workers will be returning to Carey St gym Evolve Fitness.
Owner Matt Cowling said the past few months had been “pretty tough” on the five-year-old business, which had lost income and some members during the shutdown.
“I’m hoping that now everyone’s got a bit of health and fitness on the mindset,” he said.
“We’re going to work on a bit of a rebound and then try and bring as much health and knowledge to Darwin as we can.”
Not all hospitality venues will reopen on Friday, with Mr Gunner accepting the cost and return for some due to restrictions or being unsure of public demand had made starting up again unviable until Stage 3.
Mr Gunner has still not outlined when the Territory’s borders will reopen, though “interstate travel” is Stage 3 of the Federal Government’s coronavirus restriction easing road map.
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He also again declined to open the NT’s borders to WA and South Australia first, yesterday saying: “I do believe once we lift that border we will probably lift all the borders at the same time.
“I never had a firm date or when they would lift. It’s more about the circumstances … is Australia corona-free or essentially corona safe?”
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