CLEANING UP THIS CITY ONE GLITTER STRIP CLUB AT A TIME
GLITTER Strip nightclubs and bars have gone into overdrive, scrubbing up to present the cleanest COVIDsafe image they can in a bid for restrictions to be eased.
Some Gold Coast nightlife venues are being treated with the same COVID-19 killing product used by the London Underground, Hong Kong Airport and even the UK police to protect staff and patrons.
The measures come as hospitality operators call for an easing of restrictions, such as the ban on operating dance floors and remaining seated in particular areas.
As of this week, several Hallmark Group venues on the Coast including new club Lost Kingdom, Retros and Asylum are being treated with an antimicrobial surface disinfectant that kills viruses and germs (including SARSCoV-2) for up to 30 days.
Hallmark Group general manager Cade Hopman said it was hoped the measures would keep Queensland’s nightlife alive.
“It is important now more than ever that Hallmark Group implement COVIDsafe precautions to ensure the health and safety of patrons and staff,” Mr Hopman said.
“In addition to the COVID-safe precautions advised by the government, we have also engaged (workplace disinfection service) Silix to treat our venues with antimicrobial surface disinfectant once a month.”
Silix claims the treatment means surfaces are protected against pathogens for some time to reduce the chance of touch transmission.
Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president Tim Martin said efforts were being made by all businesses to get things back to normal.
“At the moment, people need to remain seated and can’t dance, which does impact the atmosphere,” he said.
“This is a blanket ban across the state after some venues weren’t doing the right thing, so venues are going above and beyond now to fix the situation.”
While Mr Martin was hopeful of a return to normal nightlife crowds, he did not believe any regulatory changes would happen soon.
“There is certainly no road map on recovery for us here,’’ he said.
“Now we have had to take a step backward. No information on easing of restrictions.
“I think when we are a safe state closed off to other cases, why shouldn’t we get back to normal?”