THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Gold Coast takes step out of iso

RESTAURANTS and cafes will swing open their doors, and long road trips are once again allowed as Gold Coasters take their first steps on the road to recovery from coronavirus restrictions.

Stage 1 of a 3-stage plan out of isolation finally kicked in at midnight.

GOLD Coasters will take their first steps out of isolation today as restaurants and cafes swing open their doors to patrons, and long road trips are once again allowed.

The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit on the Glitter Strip but there is light at the end of the tunnel with up to 10 people now allowed to dine-in at local pubs, clubs and restaurants for the first time in months, with stage 1 of a 3-stage plan to lift coronavirus restrictions beginning from midnight last night.

Public parks, playgrounds and barbecues, will also be reopened today, while road trips up to 150km from home have also been given the green light.

However, confusion still reigns about what is and isn’t allowed with restaurants and cafes forced to battle through social distancing measures and limits to patronage.

Nerang cafe Helena’s Espresso manager Helena Jaffar said the locals were itching to come back, but they’ve had to change things up.

“Because all our regulars are busting to come back, to make it fair on everyone, we’ve put a half-an-hour time limit (on tables),” Ms Jaffar said.

As with most hospitality businesses, Ms Jaffar was weighing up whether opening for just 10 people was worth the expense.

“This is our way of going ‘welcome back’, get a bit of socialising happening. It might not be beneficial for us, it’s more for getting that vibe back, it’s been really tough.”

Shiraz Persian Restaurant owner Erfan Jalilian said he was still unclear if he could have 10 inside plus 10 outside and the Queensland Government hotline for queries could not clarify it for him.

“It’s all a bit vague and we didn’t know – and we still don’t know actually – whether we are allowed 10 people inside and 10 people outside because for me the al fresco is separate from the indoor area,’’ he said.

“I actually called the Queensland Government direct number a few days ago and they lady on the phone said ‘I can’t tell you any answers because all I know is exactly what you read as well so you have to keep checking’.’’

A spokesman from the Queensland Government said a maximum of 10 patrons are allowed, it doesn’t matter if they’re inside or outside the business.

Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said police would patrol facilities and public spaces to ensure social distancing rules are being followed. “With the venues, we would ask that their COVIDSafe checks have been completed and ultimately the management of the venue are up to the operator,” he said.

“If we see blatant disregard for the rules we can and will take enforcement action.

“For an individual it’s a fine of $1334, and for a business it’s a fine of over $6500.”

Chief Wheeler has also urged people not to throw parties or breach laws to celebrate the eased restrictions.

“It’s important to remember these restrictions, while they’re easing, are not a green light to hold big parties at home or gather in groups larger than 10 if you’re outside,” he said.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming are also expected to be checking up on pubs and restaurants to ensure they are following the rules.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said despite the restrictions easing, it was not a time for complacency, with two new coronavirus cases overnight.