Hospitality industry desperate to learn when the doors of hotels and restaurants can reopen

It is expected the Premier will reopen national parks and increase the number of mourners allowed at funerals in the state first. But the hospitality industry is crying out for clarity as to when businesses may be able to reopen.

THE cap on the number of mourners allowed at funerals in Tasmania could soon be lifted as the hospitality industry anxiously waits to learn when the doors of hotels and restaurants can reopen.

“Dates are what we need,” Tasmanian Hospitality Association CEO Steve Old said.

“Then we can discuss what venues might look like when they reopen.

“We know there will be some restrictions still in place to start with, but we need to start working with businesses to get them ready for a potential reopening.”

Tasmanian Hospitality Association CEO Steve Old. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

While the broader COVID-19 restrictions will stay in place across Tasmania until at least May 15, Mr Gutwein said he might be able to move earlier on funeral attendance and reopening parks and other green spaces.

Mountain biker, rock climber and all around wilderness lover Michael Harries is hoping the reopening of green spaces like Wellington Park and national parks are the first cabs off the rank.

It has been about five weeks since Mr Harries has enjoyed the outdoors: “I understand the government’s trepidation about too many people being together at one time, but physical, and mental health is important too,” he said.

“I am hoping, if some restrictions are lifted, of getting out into the great outdoors.”

Premier Peter Gutwein at the daily COVID-19 update. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Mr Gutwein is expected to outline the state’s road to economic recovery plan later today. “We will make decisions in the best interests of Tasmania, and follow Tasmanian rules, and not listen to the chatter of what other states and territories are doing,” Mr Gutwein said.

The latest retail trade figures show spending on groceries and alcohol rose significantly in March.

Meanwhile, other stores, cafes and pubs were shut down due to restrictions on public gatherings.

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Mr Gutwein said he understood the hospitality sector was hurting, and the loosening of restrictions on the size of social gatherings was being carefully considered as he prepared to outline a timeline of when hotels could open their doors again.

Mr Old told members this week he was engaging with the state’s coronavirus recovery taskforce, and would lobby hard to see it “do the right thing” by the hospitality industry.

“We are also talking to Tourism Tasmania as that organisation works on a new interstate campaign,” he said.

Labor said the latest jobs data — which showed Tasmania had the second highest rate of job losses in the nation due to the COVID-19 restrictions — underpinned the need for a clear business plan to reopen the state.

“Many industries have been affected, but the hospitality, arts and recreation sectors have been particularly hard hit with around 30 per cent of jobs lost since mid-March,” Labor Leader Rebecca White said.