Good Thanks Burger and Bar eager for business as usual after tough lockout period

The lockout period was financially tough for the majority of Territory businesses but has been described as a “galvanising force for good” by a small business owner.

DARWIN businesses are hopeful trade returns to normal after the lockout came to an end at midnight.

With the decline in trade over the five-day lockout, Territory businesses took a financial “hit” to the pocket.

Good Thanks Burger and Bar owner Alex James said he was looking forward to the return of normalcy and seeing people out and about again.

“It was definitely slower over the weekend, I don’t think anyone experienced an upturn in business – I understand people’s trepidation for being out,” Mr James said.

“We’ve felt a lot of community support over all of the lockdowns, it’s been a galvanising force for good.”

Mr James said the slow weekend was a financial burden.

“I actually have been too scared to look at the figures because I’ve got to pay all my bills tomorrow but I know it’s at least $10,000 to $15,000 in turnover that we lost over the course of literally just Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” he said.

Good Thanks Burger and Bar owner Alex James. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Referring to the source of the outbreak who lied on her border entry form, Mr James argued a $5000 fine for individuals breaking chief health officer’s directions was not enough.

“We’re at the stage with this now where a $5000 fine feels like a bit of a kick in the pants when you quantify the loss across Territory businesses and small businesses,” he said.

During the lockout period, the popular bar employed a system that made it almost impossible to enter the premises without a vaccination ­passport.

“We had our front door locked and a sign in the window asking people to wait for us to engage with them and seat them,” he said.

“I would say 99 per cent of people were compliant, I was actually quite happy and impressed with how compliant everyone was.

“People are excited to be allowed out and are now reaping the benefits of being fully vaccinated.”

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the overwhelming majority of Territory businesses had done an amazing job with compliance over the lockout period. “I want to thank Territorians who have done the right thing and got vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and their communities,” Ms Fyles said.