PM’s squeeze but bars open
THE liquor licensing watchdog will inspect Glitter Strip venues to ensure new restrictions to help halt coronavirus are followed – with many aiming to open and preserve jobs.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison introduced a 100-person limit for non-essential indoor gatherings earlier this week to combat the pandemic.
Yesterday he squeezed it further, saying venues would only be allowed one person per 4sq m or 25 people for every 100sq m.
It prompted immediate closures including Burleigh’s Nightjar and Nobby Beach’s NightCap at Nobby Beach, with defeated owner Scott Imlach simply saying: “It’s tough.”
Hours later he decided to open with restricted capacity.
But Surfers Paradise nightclubs SinCity, Bedroom, Asylum, Retro’s and Love in Broadbeach are among those intending to stay open.
White Rhino Bar & Eats, which has outdoor areas, posted: “Business as usual at White Rhino. Limited tables remain.”
White Rhino partner Matt Keegan said it had more than 400sq m of space inside for 100 patrons and its outdoor areas were classified under the 500person limit.
“We are trying to maintain staff jobs so people can pay their rent and survive but also be responsible with social distancing and good hygiene. I don’t think the intention of the restrictions is for venues to close – otherwise they would have taken that action.”
Mr Morrison said the new rules were to slow the infection rate. “If you’ve got a premises that’s 100sq m, then you can have 25 people. These are rules to support people making good decisions.”
The State Government has rushed in new powers to enforce restrictions, with $13,000 fines for people who flout the rules and $333,600 for firms.
On Thursday, when the limit was still 100, the Office of Liquor and Gaming confirmed it would look to ensure “compliance”. “OLGR appreciates these are challenging times. The restrictions on non-essential indoor gatherings as outlined are clear, and licensees have both a legislative and social responsibility to provide a safe environment and to mitigate the risks.
“OLGR will continue to conduct compliance inspections and investigations, determined on a case-by-case basis.”
Some citywide venues already shut before yesterday’s new restriction. Vinnies Dive Bar in Southport announced on Wednesday it would close “until at least April 1”.
Taboo Tiki in Surfers Paradise is closing, posting: “We value the health of our staff and guests above all else.”
Main Beach restaurant Fellini will continue to serve dinein customers but has drastically reduced its capacity.
“We (will be) placing guests at every second table to provide distance between people,” coowner Carlos Percuoco said.
Fellini has also started offering takeaway.
GOLD COAST fans will be celebrating the Suns 10th season in the AFL a bit differently when the side takes on Port Adelaide tonight.
The Suns will start their celebrations of a decade in the league with a home game in an empty Metricon Stadium, with fans having to watch from home because of public distancing regulations put in place by the AFL.
Suns supporters Kim and Clive Barnard have hardly missed a home game since Gold Coast started in 2011, but said they would be just as passionate watching the game at home.
“So while we can’t get to Metricon this weekend, we will most certainly be setting up our own home game party and cheering on the boys through our TV screen,” Mr Barnard said.
Mrs Barnard said the AFL was the couple’s holiday each weekend from a courier business that required long hours.
“It’s a time when we forget the rest of the world and live in the moment,” she said.
“I still don’t completely understand the rules, but I have Clive by my side to help me past that and I pride myself each year on being able to list every player by name and number by the time the season starts.”