Reminder to stay vigilant amid coronavirus pandemic as video of crowded dancefloor emerges

Shocking footage has emerged of punters blatantly ignoring social distancing mandates at a popular Hobart weekend haunt. Now, a Tasmanian MP has spoken out about the video. LATEST >>

A VIDEO of revellers at a popular Hobart venue has renewed calls for Tasmanians to remain vigilant amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As restrictions eased last week, allowing more than 80 punters into licensed venues, an Instagram story, believed to have been recorded at Salamanca’s Grape Food and Wine Bar shows patrons on the dance floor during a DJ set on Saturday night.

The video, recorded by DJ Prozac says ‘Whoops’ as it pans over the number of patrons boogying.

Further restrictions on bars and nightclubs are expected to ease later this week, subject to Public Health advice.

Bass Liberal MP Michael Ferguson has encouraged businesses to be COVID-safe, and punters to get tested. (AAP Image/Rob Blakers)

Upon viewing the video, Bass Liberal MP Michael Ferguson said he encouraged the state’s businesses and patrons to be as responsible as they know they should be.

“Having just watched the video for the first time I’m not an expert on these things, but obviously if people have concerns I want to encourage them to contact the Public Health Hotline because they are the experts,” he said.

“Without prejudging the matter, I would encourage the people who became aware of that to pass on their concerns to the Public Health Hotline.”

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Mr Ferguson said as of June 15 every Tasmanian business needed to have a CovidSafe plan in place.

“They are industry specific — every industry has a set of guidelines they need to be following,” he said.

“We need people to still be careful. Not just meeting the requirements, but also looking after their individual social distancing.

“It’s videos like that one that remind us of the importance of saying to Tasmanians let’s not get ahead of ourselves — let’s still be careful while at the same time being able to go out and enjoy ourselves more than previously was able.”