Coronavirus Australia restrictions: ‘sense of relief’ as business takes first tentative step
After almost two months of restrictions, life can begin again this weekend — to a degree.
Australia takes its first cautious yet confident step in reopening for business this weekend as hotels, clubs, restaurants, cafes, parks, children’s playgrounds and other public spaces resume operation for gatherings of up to 10 people — and a maximum of 20 in Western Australia.
Numbers permitted at weddings, funerals and religious gatherings will also double after the imposition of severe limits to help stop the community spread of COVID-19.
After almost two months of restrictions, the decision of all state and territory governments to endorse the initial stage of the national cabinet’s three-step economic recovery plan is an important show of confidence in the strategy to “flatten the curve”.
With new cases in most states reduced to a handful or none at all, many pubs and restaurants will open their doors providing government rules set for the number of patrons at any one time are observed, and social distancing remains in place as well.
Hospitality employers expressed “a great sense of relief” but also doubts that a staged resumption was a workable business model for many.
John Green, the Australian Hotels Association director of liquor and policy in NSW, said suburban and country pubs would reopen because they could cope better with smaller numbers, and wanted to ease back as a way to attract loyal patrons. Pubs had lost up to $35,000 a month because of continued operating costs during the shutdown.
Mr Green said the maximum of 10 people was not feasible for large city hotels because they needed big numbers to be commercially viable.
Another difficulty for city venues was the risk of queues when all wanted to demonstrate they could operate with social distancing in the hope of speeding up moves to steps two and three of the recovery plan allowing 20 and even 100 people at a time.
With 94 per cent of staff stood down or retrenched, hotels expect to rehire only small numbers for now, and many small pubs and hotels will reopen with family members running them. Alcohol will be served, but only with food, and many venues will impose 60- to 90-minute session times.
Business NSW chief executive Stephen Cartwright said opening was not financially viable for many yet, despite an overall sense of relief. “I know I saw many happy faces as people had their first coffee from their favourite barista in a while,” he said. “Business owners don’t want to do the wrong thing and understand that the quickest way to return to normal is by working within the guidelines in place.”
As the state began to experience its first taste of freedom, new mum Belinda Boylan celebrated her first night out since the birth of her “lockdown baby”, Indianna Jagger. She and her partner, Vic Introna, were among the expected 30 patrons to enjoy a drink and a meal at the Buena Hotel in the northern Sydney suburb of Mosman — a far cry from their usual rush of up to 500 customers.
“This is our first night out with Indianna and the first time the staff here have had a chance to meet her,” Ms Boylan said.
Nick Wills, CEO of the pub’s operator, Tilley and Wills Co, said his loyal regulars have been anxiously awaiting the pub’s reopening for weeks. “We’re a pub nation and it’s good to just get things moving again. This is a great step in the right direction,” he said.
Southeast Queensland’s popular resort islands have been given the all-clear to welcome back day visitors from this weekend, but Redland City mayor Karen Williams fears the short notice in reopening North Stradbroke Island on Saturday could leave businesses unprepared. The Queensland government said North Stradbroke, Moreton and Fraser islands would reopen to beach driving, but only for day-use visitors with a valid vehicle access permit. Ms Williams said a longer lead time to reopening would have been preferable.
The Local Disaster Management Group had asked the government for a staged approach to reopening to allow businesses time to prepare and restock basic items, which needed to be shipped from the mainland.
From Saturday, Queenslanders will be able to take day trips within a 150km radius of home, and 500km if they live in outback regions.
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