Tasmanian Small Businesses Council says it’s time to ditch the rules while borders remain closed

Coronavirus restrictions are wearing thin in the wake of no infections, says the small business council, who suggested Tasmania “makes hay while the sun shines”.

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THE Tasmanian Small Business Council says businesses are fast losing patience with coronavirus restrictions amid the state’s extended border closure.

Over the weekend Premier Peter Gutwein doubled down on the border closure, following revelations there was a one in 10 million chance of a case of coronavirus being imported into Tasmania from places that were not virus hot spots.

The state government is also holding firm on most internal restrictions despite a campaign from the business community for the rules to be eased.

Small Business Council CEO Robert Mallet said the continued refusal to consider easing restrictions while borders were closed was “wearing thin”.

“The lack of any credible reason why businesses are expected to continue the charade of ‘social distancing’, having limited numbers of patrons in venues, expecting all businesses to continue with some very expensive protection measures including single use menus, single use hairdressing gowns and ridiculous stickers on the ground telling people where they can stand is wearing very thin,” Mr Mallett said.

“Businesses realise that whilst our major destination hub (Melbourne) is severely compromised, borders need to be well managed but the local restrictions bear no relevance and are costing the community and the state far more than it needs.

“We all accept the reality that at some point it is likely the virus will remerge in our state – we should be making haying while the sun shines rather than artificially capping our business and jobs potential in fear of something which may or may not happen.”