Hospitality industry says compulsory vaccine checks need to go

The hospitality industry wants the NT government to ditch compulsory vaccine checks at licensed venues. HAVE YOUR SAY

THE organisation representing the Territory’s hospitality industry has appealed to the NT government to end the requirement to vaccine check requirements at licensed venues.

Under chief health officer direction, operators of licensed premises, casinos, cinemas and gatherings with more than 500 people are required to check the vaccination status of every patron.

Only WA still has a similar requirement despite it being locked down for two months longer than the Northern Territory.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said retaining the vax check requirement was erratic, inconsistent and hypocritical.

“The Territory Government no longer checks vaccination status at the borders, yet hospitality workers are required to conduct checks upon entry that even the government no longer does,” Mr Bruce said.

“There are unvaccinated visitors to the Territory having a beer on the plane yet if they want to visit a pub in the city there is a requirement to check that patrons vaccination certificate.

“As of this week people that are Covid positive in the Territory can jump on planes and head south next to an unvaxxed passenger and both can take off their masks and drink beers.

“What is going on?

“There is no medical rationale behind this and there is no end date. Will we be expected to do this for the next two years for the duration of the CHO’s latest orders?

“The government needs to provide certainty around this so businesses can plan ahead.”

Hotel Darwin licensee Brett Lubicz said he was hopeful the checks would soon be lifted.

“I think we’ve moved past that,” he said.

“We’re not wearing masks, QR codes are disappearing so I think hopefully this is just the last thing that will disappear and going to be able to run our business.

“It’s just another thing people have to do in order to come out, spend there hard earnt monty and they come into a pub and they’ve got to show their vaccination passports. It’s just another layer.”

John McAvoy having a beer at Hotel Darwin. He carries around his vaccination certificate. Julianne Osborne

Hotel Darwin patron John McAvor carries his printed vaccination certificate with him and says mandatory vaccination checks are a waste.

“We’ve moved past that,” Mr McAvor said.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the Covid resurgence in other jurisdictions highlighted the risk.

“Throughout Covid, hospitality venues have remained high-risk locations for transmission, and this is why we have our vaccine passport system in place for certain venues, she said. “The Security Emergency Management Committee continues to meet regularly and review current CHO Directions.”