CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK No staff fired but no work at casino
THE boss of Cairns’ casino has spoken publicly, saying none of its 400-strong workforce has been fired or made redundant but there was no work for them until further notice after the venue closed it doors.
CEO Allan Tan said the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino was following government orders and the decision to close was not their choice.
Under new Federal Government restrictions to help combat the spread of COVID-19, pubs, clubs, hotels, gyms and indoor sporting venues, cinemas, venues, casinos, and nightclubs had to close on Monday.
“Like many other venues, clearly since there is no work for our staff. Some staff are still currently working but largely there is no work for them which means they have to be stood down,” he said.
“We will follow all the legislative requirements the government has announced.
“But our staff are not unemployed, they have just been stood down. None of our staff have been fired, they have not been made redundant. They can take leave, many of our staff have served for a long time so they will take long service.
“Whether they choose to resign, I don’t know. We are working through things with everyone but there are more than 400 employees so that will take time.
“We are not alone as a business, in Cairns, and within the country we’re not alone.
“We don’t know how long this will last for, but I’m hopeful it won’t last too long. I think the important thing is our staff have not been fired, they have not been made redundant and I hope the whole country can get back to some sort of normality as soon as possible.”
A statement to the ASX advising that the Reef Hotel Casino operations had closed following the Australian Government’s announcement read: “We are now focused on working through the implications of this closure with the operator of the Reef Hotel Casino complex, Casinos Austria International (Cairns) Pty Ltd.
“Further market updates will be issued as material new information emerges.”
PARKING is being restricted at the Reef Hotel Casino which has closed. The casino advises that for monthly carpark users, the car park will remain open for the foreseeable future. Parking will be limited to P2 level (entry level) and access is via the Abbott Street exit ramp. The casino building is now closed to the public. The glass doors and lifts have been disabled. Monthly carpark holders can continue as normal, temporarily suspend their account or cancel.
KEY Queensland hospitals have suspended all but emergency ear, nose and throat surgery indefinitely to protect surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and other theatre staff during the pandemic. The shutdown means operations such as tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies and the insertion of grommets will not be performed in the immediate future with the danger to theatre staff, as well as patients, considered too high for them to go ahead.
VENTILATORS used on cats and dogs will be volunteered to help Australian COVID-19 patients while others will be treated in a “virtual hospital” in their own homes using hi-tech solutions. Industry Minister Karen Andrews said chief scientist Alan Finkel had the idea of borrowing vets’ ventilators as the government attempts to double machine numbers in intensive care units to 4000.
VOTERS can still expect a $133 fine if they don’t cast their ballot in Saturday’s council election. An Electoral Commission of Queensland spokesman insisted the March 28 election was still going ahead on the advice from the Chief Health Officer, and warned voting was compulsory.
BRITAIN is under stricter restrictions than during the Blitz in World War II as it fights COVID19 with a complete lockdown. All shops except for food stores and pharmacies will be closed for at least three weeks, with the army helping with logistics.