Nightclub crisis talks

New gathering rules threaten operations

CAIRNS nightclub operators have held crisis meetings after the Prime Minister announced tough new social distancing rules to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a ban of “non-essential” indoor social gatherings of over 100 people.

The ban is effective immediately.

Outdoor gatherings of 500 people or more were banned on the weekend as the Federal Government tries to curb the spread of the disease.

For the moment, operators are open and putting in place measures to enforce social distancing of 1.5m

Woolshed owner Dominic Davies said he and other Cairns venue operators were waiting on the results of discussions between the Queensland Hotel Association, The Department of Gaming and other agencies. “The QHA have been on the phone with their advisers – later today they’ll be meeting the Attorney-General and reporting back to members like myself so we have a clear understanding of the PM’s announcement.

“We are still nutting things out. We want to do it effectively and safely; the challenge is to operate in a cost-effective manner, so we can stay open and keep people in jobs.” XS Nightlife’s Melissa Kelly said she and club management were taking the situation “dayby-day”.

“We don’t know anything just yet.”

Paul Eadie, of the Ultimate Party Bus, said the industry faced “a conundrum”.

“Where do we stand morally? Would we be doing the right thing if we continued to trade,” Mr Eadie said.

Smaller venues face the same dilemmas.

“We are getting our head around it,” Edge Hills Bowls Club manager Lawrence Green said.

“We are all in the same boat.

“All we can do is inform, inform, inform.”