Qld election 2020: Pubs, clubs lobby chief health officer to ease restrictions ahead of border reopening

Queensland clubs and pubs bosses have lobbied Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young for a relaxation of industry rules ahead of borders reopening.

Hotel and clubs bosses have privately lobbied Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young to increase patron numbers inside venues ahead of the state’s borders reopening to NSW.

However, their pleas are likely to fall on deaf ears with Health Minister Steven Miles standing defiant and refusing to contemplate an easing of indoor restrictions.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles says he has no intention to ease restrictions for the hospitality industry. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

This comes as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk comes under increasing pressure top announce the border re-opening on Friday.

Under Queensland Health’s directive, clubs and pubs can have one person per four sq m indoors and one per 2 sq m outdoors.

“We’ve already substantially eased restrictions on our hospitality sector,” Mr Miles said on Thursday.

“There’s no intention to ease those any further

“Our hospitality sector is running as close to normal as anywhere else in the world.”

Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) and Clubs Queensland met with Dr Young this week to push for indoor restrictions to be aligned with outdoor limitations.

Queensland Hotels Association CEO Bernie Hogan says it’s counter-productive to reopen borders and not allow more patrons inside restaurants and bars. Picture: Supplied QHA

Clubs Queensland CEO Kelly Egan says their industry has a proven record in following health and hygiene protocols.

QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan said it would be counter-productive to open the border and allow tourists to flow in for the holiday season and yet not increase the capacity of restaurants, pubs and clubs.

He said it would be detrimental to restaurants and hotels that were already booked out on weekends without the borders being fully opened and it would provide no incentive for businesses to employ more staff.

“There’s little point in attracting more people if we can't have places for them to dine, enjoy a beer with their friends,” Mr Hogan said.

“It’s counter-productive and it will send a poor message for our tourism operators which can’t take as many people and if it’s not profitable they remain shut.”

Clubs Queensland Chief Executive Officer Kelly Egan said the industry had followed health protocols and shown it had solid contact tracing registers.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young will brief Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Friday morning about any changes to restrictions and borders. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jono Searle

He said he would respect the decision Dr Young made but believed the industry could safely open to more patrons than just one per 4 sq m and they wanted to employ more staff now that JobKeeper was being wound back.

“Both Bernie and I met with her this week and … we trust her to come up with something that is favourable,” Mr Egan said.

“It would be great (to increase indoor patron numbers) given the time of the year it would be great especially with things like JobKeeper falling off now.

“And the fact we have a really good perspective and protocols on contact tracing and venue hygiene.

“We have proved that we can adhere to what is required and we are confident we can comply with any directions should indoor and outdoor spaces align with one person per 2 sq m.”

Destination Gold Coast boss Paul Donovan says the border must be fully reopened to NSW. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will announce when the border will fully reopen to NSW at midday on Friday – the day before the state election.

Destination Gold Coast Chairman Paul Donovan said it was imperative the border was open to all of NSW.

“We just need the borders open,” he said.