Tasmanian fitness and hospitality sectors call for COVID-19 restrictions to be lifted

There are growing calls for the State Government to roll back restrictions on businesses as Tasmania edges closer to eradicating coronavirus.

FRUSTRATION is building within industries subject to strict coronavirus restrictions, despite Tasmania approaching eradication of the virus.

Oceana Aquatic and Fitness owner Dean Ewington blasted the rules applied to the fitness industry.

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Mr Ewington said he was struggling to get answers on how the 20 person rule should be put into practice.

“There is no rational reason why we should have been left to be one of the last ones to reopen. Even the hospitality industry can have up to 40 people in a pub and you can only have 20 in a gym,” Mr Ewington said.

“I’m very disappointed at the way the industry has been treated.”

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Oceana Aquatic and Fitness owner Dean Ewington said he was very disappointed at the way the industry has been treated. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Tasmanian Hospitality Association CEO Steve Old said restrictions on numbers in venues should be rolled back “100 per cent” if the state eradicated the virus and borders remained closed.

“The industry is getting frustrated, to be frank. They have been watching where we stand compared to other states where there are more cases and outbreaks, yet they can have higher numbers (of patrons) in venues,” Mr Old said.

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Hobart’s largest weekly event, Salamanca Market, also will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

“We won’t be reopening the market until we are assured that doing so will be safe for staff, stallholders and the public, and that it can be operated under a format and scale that is beneficial for all involved,” Hobart City Council general manager Nick Heath said.

Salamanca Market will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

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Salamanca Market Stallholders Association president Holly Farley said there were mixed views on opening the market, given a significant proportion of stallholders relied on international tourist trade.

“If you open Salamanca market before the borders are open you’re basically asking stallholders to go down there and work for nothing,” she said.