Growing list: Several Tasmanian hospitality venues close, alter procedures due to coronavirus
TripAdvisor’s top restaurant in Hobart has shut temporarily as a string of businesses grapple with the coronavirus. SEE LIST OF VENUES + REASONS FOR CLOSING >>
Tasmania
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TripAdvisor’s top restaurant in Hobart has shut temporarily as a string of businesses grapple with the coronavirus.
Urban Greek owner Frank Ortega said some of his workforce had contracted the disease.
“We just had three of our lead kitchen staff that we can’t replace (test) positive so that’s the reason why we’ve had to close,” he said.
It comes as several hospitality businesses have altered their service mode or locked their doors entirely.
Mr Ortega had his “fingers crossed” the popular restaurant would reopen as early as this Sunday.
“We’ve had quite a lot of social media backlash saying we were trying to make a point and being overly cautious,” he said.
“That might be true for others in the hospitality industry, but not for us.”
Mr Ortega said Urban Greek had been fully booked out this week and would lose a “significant” amount of money.
“On the ninth (of January), which is the earliest we can open, we’ll really need the support,” he said.
“The hospitality owners really need to come together with a unified mind and not go off on our own tangents, so we can actually get out of this.”
Mr Ortega hoped the government would continue financially assisting businesses.
He sought clarity on the likelihood of a separate set of rules for asymptomatic and symptomatic Covid cases, suggesting different rules for asymptomatic cases could allow venues to stay open.
The Cascade Brewery, T42, Pilgrim Coffee, and Bar Wa Izakaya are among businesses losing sales from closures.
Some made the choice because staff had tested positive or been close-contacts, others decided to close as a pre-emptive measure.
North Hobart Japanese restaurant Rin posted on Facebook on Monday evening announcing their closure “until further notice”, but have not yet confirmed whether or not the closure was due to coronavirus.
Don Camillo restaurant has moved to takeaways only while Raincheck Lounge has suspended their dinner service, opening only from 7am-3pm.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey said as Covid cases skyrocketed, the only figure Tasmanians needed to consider was the extremely low number of hospitalisations.
“The fact is the Government’s Covid plan to date has been a success,” he said.
“We have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, we have a plan in place, we all should know by now what to do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and because of all of that, there is no reason why we can’t enjoy ourselves over summer.”
Mr Bailey spoke to media at Sporties Bar, Launceston and urged Tasmanians to support hospitality venues.
“Venues like Sporties are the perfect place to enjoy a drink and catch up with friends and family in a safe environment,” he said.
“Local Tasmanian businesses have done it tough over the past couple of years and we need to do whatever we can to support them now.
“If there is any business out there that has any questions or needs support or advice please contact the TCCI and we will do whatever we can to support you.”
Born in Brunswick owner Con Vailas said running a business with only two kitchen staff and two front-of-house staff as part of their Covid-safety plan was proving difficult.
“We’re thankful for the tourist dollar but if I had a choice, truth be told, I would have preferred to just have the support of the locals until we were actually ready for this,” he said.
Mr Valais hoped to stay open as long as possible, but felt it was “only a matter of time” before staff were impacted.
“At this point I feel pretty privileged (to operate), but if it starts hampering business that much then I’d rather just close,” he said.
These are just some venues changing their service mode or shutting their doors.
Temporarily closed
Bar Wa Izakaya, Hobart. Some staff at the Japanese restaurant were self-isolating due to coming into contact with positive Covid-19 cases. The owner closed the restaurant indefinitely as a precaution.
Fox Friday, Hobart. The craft brewery next door to Urban Greek has closed until further notice, citing “Covid-related issues” in a Facebook post.
Cascade Brewery, South Hobart. The major brewery has not set a reopening date, saying on Facebook on New Year’s Day “a Covid case has made its way to us here at the Brewery Bar”.
Rin, North Hobart. The Japanese restaurant has closed its doors “until further notice”, according to their Facebook page. The family business owner told the Mercury a family member had returned a positive rapid antigen test and close-contact staff were isolating while awaiting their positive PCR results.
Pilgrim Coffee, Hobart. The cafe will remain shut until at least Monday as some staff have become contacts for the virus, and the owner said staff felt uncomfortable serving hospital workers who worked nearby.
Urban Greek, Hobart. Three kitchen staff have tested positive, while the owner hopes to reopen on Sunday.
Open, but changing service models:
Born in Brunswick, North Hobart. This cafe closed at 12pm on Tuesday instead of the usual 2pm due to staff shortages brought on by their new Covid-safety plan.
The Crows Nest, Hobart. This MidCity cafe said on Facebook it would temporarily become a takeaway only service, and would not serve items in reusable cups in case of Covid transmission.
Don Camillo, Sandy Bay. This Italian restaurant has moved to takeaways only to protect their regular customers, many of whom are of an older demographic.
Raincheck Lounge, North Hobart. This restaurant and cafe has suspended dinner service, opening only from 7am-3pm.
Par Avion. This tourism airline venture has cancelled several tourist flights, focusing efforts on continuing essential services like Cape Barron Island commutes and Melbourne cancer patient transfers.
Tassie Bound Adventure Tours. This service has scrapped its larger tour groups for private tours.
Re-opening:
Tavern 42 Degrees South (T42), Hobart. The bar will reopen on Wednesday with less staff and a reduced menu. This waterfront bar had previously closed as some chefs were legally required to isolate as close contacts.
‘Profit in the bin’: Several hospo venues close temporarily
5.29pm January 3, 2022
The list of businesses closing amid Covid-19 continues to climb, as operators are set to lose thousands of dollars during what was expected to be a bumper first week of 2022.
As coronavirus cases soar and rapid antigen tests are snapped up, the hospitality industry is bearing the brunt of pandemic panic.
Will Priestly has made the decision to shut Pilgrim Cafe until January 10.
“We didn’t feel safe,” Mr Priestly said.
“We’ve got at-risk workers as well as our proximity to the hospital.
“I know a couple of our staff have been contacts and are waiting on tests, and they don’t feel comfortable serving beverages to the hospital workers.”
T42 restaurant owner Leo Miller said two of his key chefs were ordered to isolate as close contacts.
Although his venue next door Billy’s Burgers remains open, Mr Miller closed T42 on Sunday and anticipated reopening this Wednesday.
“We’ve got no staff,” he said.
“I’ve got two chefs and I need four.”
Mr Miller said what was expected to be one of the most profitable fortnights of the year has taken a 36 per cent dive since this time last year.
“Last year we didn’t have a lot of tourists and it was certainly busier,” he said.
He said the restaurant had ordered large amounts of stock, much of which will now go to waste.
“It’s profit in the bin,” he said.
“We’re losing $5000 a day.”
Cascade Brewery and Bar Wa Izakaya have closed until further notice, while Don Camillo has switched to takeaways.
Tassie Bound Adventure Tours has scrapped their larger tour groups for private tours. Raincheck Lounge cafe and restaurant had announced their indefinite closure early on Monday, only to later receive negative Covid tests for close contact staff and announce they would reopen on Tuesday.
Cafe owner Angela Nichols said the venue would remove their dinner slot and operate from 7am-3pm.
“It’s been a very strange, stressful day but we’ve had a lot of support from the community,” she said.
“We know now how quickly everything can change. We are safe to proceed but that could really change at any moment.”
Peak industry bodies like the Tasmanian Hospitality Association and the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have joined the state government in urging the public to keep calm.
Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old offered support to businesses and asked people to remain calm.
“It is completely understandable that people are reluctant to head out,” he said.
“We were bracing for some teething issues when the borders reopened, especially in regards to staffing levels, but it is still disappointing to hear that some businesses are temporarily closing for differing reasons and again, the THA is committed to assisting those affected in any way we can.”
Mr Old hoped access to Covid tests would improve, offering better processes for staff.
“We are also continuing to gather data from venues who have had mass cancellations and passing this on to government in an effort to obtain any financial assistance to those establishments,” he said.
Iconic brewery, popular North Hobart cafe, Italian restaurant shut as Covid wreaks havoc
2.30pm, January 3, 2022
At least four iconic hospitality venues have shut their doors in what is usually one of the busiest trading weeks of the year, as Covid tightens its grip on the state.
Affected businesses included Cascade Brewery, Raincheck Lounge and more recently Don Camillo.
Owners of the Italian restaurant posted an update on Facebook about 11pm Monday saying they would switch to takeaway from Tuesday.
“After the week we will reassess and keep you updated,” the Facebook post read.
“Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you all back into the restaurant when things are a little more settled.”
Cascade Brewery and Raincheck Lounge have not specified takeaway options, but both took to Facebook to say they were closing indefinitely.
The first business to make headlines for shutting down in light of coronavirus cases skyrocketing in Tasmania was Bar Wa Izakaya.
The Japanese restaurant dramatically shut their business on Sunday and plastered a message for Premier Peter Gutwein on their main road window.
The controversial sign questioned the government’s decision to open borders and allow coronavirus into Tasmania, with a statement reading: “Peter: remind me of the upside again. Asking for a friend.”
Standing outside the empty restaurant on Monday was Greens Health spokeswoman Dr Rosalie Woodruff, who warned an economic downturn was nigh.
“It is a terrible situation that the Premier chose to open the borders and put businesses at risk,” she said.
“We had a very flourishing economy before (December 15) and now it’s a very difficult time for businesses of every sort.
“Our heart goes out to those people and that is why it’s so important the Premier stops trying to normalise the situation and understand that slowing the rate of spread is the most important thing he can do for the safety of Tasmanians and to help businesses who are struggling.”
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey urged people to learn to live with the virus and offered assistance to concerned business owners.
“There are only two people in hospital with Covid,” he said.
“We are clearly prepared, our systems are working and our community is safe.
“I know it is very confronting for some in our community and if there are any business owners or operators out there that would like assistance or advice the TCCI is here to help.”
“The TCCI backs the Government’s decision to safely reopen our borders and we stand ready to work with the Government.”
Premier Peter Gutwein said the political debate about borders reopening was “quite disgraceful”.
“Whilst I can understand people being a little anxious, it’s important that people do keep calm,” he said.
“If you’re a business, continue to work your Covid safety plan.
“We have the systems in place, it’s not impacting on our health system, we have two people in hospital at the moment but not as a result of Covid.”
Iconic brewery, popular cafe shut down as Covid wreaks havoc
10.20am, January 3, 2022
Another two iconic hospitality venues have shut their doors in what is usually one of the busiest trading weeks of the year, as Covid tightens its grip on the state.
North Hobart cafe and restaurant Raincheck Lounge and South Hobart heritage Cascade Brewery are shutting up shop indefinitely.
Raincheck owner Angela Nichols told the Mercury on Monday morning a number of staff had been exposed to coronavirus.
“We do have a lot of regular customers who are elderly who are immunocompromised, so operating for a dine-in service with an enclosed space with the knowledge that our staff have been in close contact with potentially positive cases is just not a risk we want to take for our community,” Ms Nichols said.
Cascade Brewery announced via Facebook on New Year’s Day a positive Covid case had been recorded at the Brewery Bar.
“(This is) not exactly how we wanted to start the New Year,” their Facebook post reads.
“Unfortunately with the influx of visitors to the state it was only a matter of time before we saw a case.
“We hope to be up and running again soon, but at this stage do not have an exact date to reopen.”
The loss as another North Hobart business Japanese restaurant Bar Wa Izakaya dramatically shut their business on Sunday and plastered a message for Premier Peter Gutwein on their main road window.
The controversial sign questioned the government’s decision to open borders and allow coronavirus into Tasmania, with a statement reading: “Peter: remind me of the upside again. Asking for a friend.”
Covid: Raincheck Lounge closes on New Year’s public holiday
10.05am, Monday January 3, 2022
An iconic and long-running North Hobart cafe has become the next casualty to Covid, shutting its doors indefinitely.
The Raincheck Lounge Facebook page, which has nearly 5000 likes, shared the news about 8am Monday, saying “with heavy hearts we have made the tough decision to close Raincheck until further notice”.
“Hope to see you all soon,” the post read, with a peace sign and broken heart emoji.
Within an hour nearly 200 people had reacted to the social media announcement, mostly with sadness and support.
Owner Angela Nichols told the Mercury a number of staff had been exposed to coronavirus.
“There have been a few staff that have had positive rapid antigen tests,” she said.
“Also a number of people live with people who had positive rapid antigen tests.”
Ms Nichols said the cafe and restaurant had made the decision on Sunday to temporarily stop their dinner service, but on Monday the difficult choice to end brunch was made.
“We do have a lot of regular customers who are elderly who are immunocompromised, so operating for a dine-in service with an enclosed space with the knowledge that our staff have been in close contact with potentially positive cases is just not a risk we want to take for our community,” Ms Nichols said.
“We are moving a little bit quicker than Public Health and being cautious.”
The business shared a second Facebook post about 10am Monday inviting customers to purchase fresh loaves of bread that need to be eaten before the doors officially close.
“Please help us out and purchase a loaf to take home,” the post reads.
“We will fire up the coffee machine for a quick take away service between (12) – 2pm today, our kitchen will remain closed but there will be plenty of bread and treats.”
Ms Nichols said the New Year’s Day public holiday was usually one of the busiest trading days of the year.
“We’re going to lose tens of thousands of dollars this week and there’s currently no government support for that,” she said.
“The majority of our workforce is casual and they’re going to miss out on work this week.
“I think there needs to be a review of the current protocol and we need wider access to rapid antigen tests, even if it’s as simple as our staff needing to take a test before coming to work that day.”
Facebook user Alan Welsh described the North Hobart joint as an “institution” in the comments section of the social media post announcing the closure.
“(Raincheck) became our first regular when we moved back into the neighbourhood,” he commented.
“Hope to see you come back.”
Another commenter was dismayed, as they had planned to visit the cafe that weekend, while many commenters applauded the decision.
“That is very sad but good on you for keeping staff safe,” commenter Ros Beswick said.
Karen Stott commented “thank you for your care … we eagerly await your reopening”.
The loss comes a day after nearby Japanese restaurant Bar Wa Izakaya dramatically shut their business and plastered a message for Premier Peter Gutwein on their main road window.
The controversial sign questioned the government’s decision to open borders and allow coronavirus into Tasmania, with a statement reading: “Peter: remind me of the upside again. Asking for a friend.”
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