Chamber of Commerce NT warns Chief Minister not to make recovery road map ‘a bridge too far’ for businesses, with a six week wait to reopen likely to be ‘too long’ for some

THE Gunner Government has been warned that a near six-week wait for the easing of operating restrictions could be a bridge too far for some Territory businesses.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has been warned that a near six-week wait for the easing of operating restrictions could be a bridge too far for some Territory businesses. Picture: Che Chorley

• NT businesses ready to bounce back: Chamber of Commerce CEO

THE Gunner Government has been warned that a near six-week wait for the easing of operating restrictions could be a bridge too far for some Territory businesses.

Newly appointed Chamber of Commerce chief executive Greg Ireland met with Chief Minister Michael Gunner on Monday to put the Chamber’s position on what business would like to see in Mr Gunner’s detailed road map for the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

Mr Ireland said the meeting was positive but the Chief Minister had given no indication what, if any, of the Chamber’s wishlist would be included in his road map to be released on Thursday.

“It was positive to see outcomes prior to walking in, which gives you a little bit of confidence there is scope for change,” Mr Ireland said.

“Some of the timing we do not always necessarily agree on. We would like to see a bit more urgency.

“That said, we do understand the restrictions from the medical side of it. Any business that is able to open soon is a positive outcome.”

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Mr Ireland said the Chamber “haven’t been told anything more about what he is going to announce.”

“Hopefully it will shape where we are going into the near future,” he said.

“I’m not too far off the timings the Chief Minister is talking about, based on the ability to get some safe work plans in place.”

Mr Ireland said the timing was crucial for some businesses.

“If we are talking a couple of weeks then I think that’s achievable, but if we are talking six weeks I think that’s a little bit too long,” he said.

“If we are pushing into a month or six weeks I am really starting to feel that it is getting a bit long in the tooth.

“I know, for some, six weeks will be a bridge too far. I know for others they couldn’t be ready in that time frame.

“It will depend on the type of business and how it can implement social distancing.

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“It would be pretty difficult if you are on the dance floor of a nightclub but it could be a different situation for restaurants or cafes.”

“My view is if you can have a dinner party at home for four or six people and you are all comfortable to do that, why can’t you have a dinner party at a restaurant for four or six people as long as you are all maintaining social distancing from others and there are protocols in place around cleaning and how things are done to maintain safety.

“There’s not much difference.”

“I think businesses and Territorians are smart enough to put it into practice.”