No safety in numbers
CHIEF Health Officer Jeannette Young has written to the peak bodies for restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs in Queensland after it was revealed one in five Gold Coast eateries is failing to follow COVIDSafe rules.
Of the 28 cafes and restaurants News Corp staff dined in on the Glitter Strip, six did not take down any customer details or enforce social distancing rules.
Those who followed protocol were: Robina Tavern, The Malt House (Robina); The Wine Barrel (Mudgeeraba); Miami Marketta, Edgewater Dining, Belvedere Stonemill Italian, Hail Mary, Connors, Koffee Shak, Quest Coffee Roasters (Burleigh); Burgster (Palm Beach); One Little Tree (Pimpama); Mamasan, Harajuku Gyoza, Hideaway (Broadbeach); Sea and Shore Restaurant, Kabachi-Ya (Labrador), Currumbin RSL, Sushi Train (Miami); Mermaid Surf Club, The Beach Shack (Currumbin); and Bine (Mermaid).
Those who did not take contact details or adhere to social distancing: Helen’s Heavenly Bulk Foods, Paddock, Social Brew (Burleigh), The Journal Cafe (Mermaid), Windernis (Palm Beach) and Pasture & Co Cafe (Currumbin). They denied not following regulations.
The results came as it was revealed Moxy’s Rooftop Bar in Coolangatta was given an infringement notice for $6672.50 for “fail to comply with directions” and “fail to keep patron detail contact register”.
Under the Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction, businesses that provide dining-in for customers, such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, RSLs, clubs and hotels are required to collect contact details.
Businesses must operate within the COVIDSafe Framework, including maintaining social distancing, abiding by patron limits, and cleaning surfaces often.
No fines have been handed out by the Gold Coast City councils, which say they prefer to take an educational approach.
Paddock Bakery owner Maya Scholz said the establishment was abiding by the government regulations with a COVIDSafe plan in place, including QR codes in multiple locations for customers to sign in or a printed version.
“It is very easy to use,” she said.
“Customers simply need to scan the code with the camera on their phone and it will prompt them to enter their personal details – once this has been submitted, the customer simply shows their completed form to the counter staff.
“The customers are required to show their registration at the counter.”
Pasture & Co owner Dani Riley said the business complied with COVIDSafe regulations, including having a register for customers to sign and using gloves when handling customer plates.
“We ask, but we can’t force people to do it,” she said.
“There have been several times where we have been verbally abused for asking for the details.”
Dr Young has written to the peak bodies for restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs to stress how vital the information is for contact tracing during the pandemic.
Queensland Restaurant and Catering Association chief executive Wes Lambert said it was not a matter of whether businesses agreed with the regulations, but the register was to protect the state from the devastating economic effects that could come with another outbreak.
“It is imperative that they do so,” he said.
“With the federal and state government suppression strategy, contact tracing is the best way to ensure there are no strict lockdowns or tightening of restrictions when an inevitable outbreak occurs.”
A Queensland Health spokeswoman said businesses must have these contact details on hand to provide to public health officers to assist with contact tracing if required.
“Records are to be used only for the purposes of tracing COVID-19 infections,” she said.
“Businesses must ensure records are stored confidentially and securely for 56 days, not use it for any other purpose, then dispose of the records securely.
“Penalties apply for failure to comply with the public health directions.”