Limit on groups hard to swallow

NEW coronavirus restrictions imposed at the weekend caused culinary confusion as mobile caterers struggled to gauge the impact of limited group gatherings.

Coral Coast Catering’s David Young’s stomach plunged when he heard of the new limits, declared by Queensland Health at the weekend.

Under the new restrictions imposed in response to a COVID cluster in the state’s southeast corner, gatherings in private homes and public spaces have been restricted to a maximum of 30 people.

These limited do not apply to businesses operating under a COVID-Safe plan.

But a series of crossed wires had Mr Young thinking he would lose thousands of dollars in bookings as weddings booked for 100 guests would seemingly melt down to less than one third.

“It’s just ridiculous,” Mr Young said.

“The regulations are based on a couple of cases thousands of kilometres away. What are we doing? I can’t see any logic whatsoever.”

A flurry of emails to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, the Restaurant and Caterer’s Association and Queensland Health finally confirmed that mobile caterers, even operating in a suburban back yard, would be exempt as long as they were operating under an approved COVID safety plan.

Wayne Keygan of Cairns Spit Roast said mobile caterers should have vigorous COVIDsafe plans in place.

“If we have a buffet set up we have to break it down into stations,” Mr Keygan said.

“We have to serve the food ourselves so people don’t touch the food whatsoever.

“It is what needs to be done under the restrictions.”

The latest coronavirus cluster to break out in Queensland was detected in the Wacol Youth Detention Centre and stemmed from a staffer who tested positive to the virus.

Nine new cases were announced for the state on Saturday and two – including a baby – on Sunday.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said people should wear masks if they could not safely socially distance. “This is the time that everyone should consider that if they can’t maintain social distancing, it’s time to wear a mask,” she said.

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