‘Frustrated’ hospitality industry reacts to the news that there is no dancing next year

Health experts have dashed any hopes of dancing in Tasmania’s pubs and clubs for the forseeable future, as nightclub and bar owners were quick to express outrage at the announcement.

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VENUE owners and hospitality industry representatives have expressed outrage after finding out via breakfast radio dancing might remain prohibited at Tasmanian venues for another year.

Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch said on Mornings with Leon Compton on ABC Radio Hobart that dancing at night clubs, pubs and bars may be a fair way off.

“The reason why we’ve held back on dancing is because the things that spread coronavirus are people mixing and people mixing closely,” he said.

“Auckland had very tough measures around their borders too and the disease still unfortunately got in.”

Dr Veitch said situations where strangers mixed closely were difficult to trace.

Director of Public Health Dr. Mark Veitch speaks at a coronavirus press conference. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

He said the restrictions were likely to “be the new normal” for “perhaps nearly the next year” until a vaccine was established.

“It’s likely that we will retain the measures that prevent dancing in places like night clubs and pubs and bars until we’re through this,” he said.

He said Public Health was still discussing the viability of leavers dinners and formals with schools.

Tasmanian Hospitality Association CEO Steve Old said the news was a shock to the industry with “massive” impacts.

“It’s frustrating to hear about it through the media,” he said.

“We can never get a straight answer – what’s the difference between sitting and drinking and standing and drinking?

“Some of the businesses are nightclubs, you’re basically shutting them down for good.”

Ian Vaughan who owns seven popular Hobart night life venues including Cargo, Observatory Bar and the Telegraph Hotel said there would likely be more job losses without dancing allowed at venues.

Ian Vaughan is a co-owner of Observatory Bar, which has been closed since the end of March. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

He said he feared many businesses would not survive next winter without a successful summer.

“You can see a sex worker or play contact sports, but as soon as an alcoholic beverage is in your hand it’s not allowed,” he said.

“We’ve got people lined up for hours in the freezing cold because there are not enough seats.

“The frustrating part is there’s been no consultation, we hear this third hand on a radio interview.”

Health and small business, hospitality and events Minister Sarah Courtney said dancing restrictions had a “very real impact” on nightclub operators, business owners and customers.

She said the decisions were made to keep Tasmanians safe, but were not made lightly.

“What Dr Veitch has done this morning is help to create some certainty for those businesses,” she said.

“I’m very focused on continuing to do what we can to support these industries and these businesses that employ many Tasmanians.”