CASE TO ANSWER
SCOTT Imlach has simple questions for the State Government: “Why are venue restrictions still in place?” and “What’s the game plan?”
The restaurant-bar owner’s frustrations are boiling over a fortnight on from a 30,000-strong Black Lives Matter protest in Brisbane which has resulted in no upswing in coronavirus cases.
Despite that, he and other operators must continue to adhere to 20-patron limits per “area”.
“We’re frustrated. It’s ridiculous. Where are we going with this? When will the next step happen?’’ he said.
FRUSTRATED Gold Coast operators question why crippling restrictions remain in place two weeks on from mass Black Lives Matters protests with few new coronavirus cases emerging.
Hospitality bosses said the curve had been flattened and restrictions on crushing patron limits should be lifted.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk did not respond to Bulletin questions directly about whether she would reconsider patron limits two weeks on from the protests. But her office provided a general statement and directed the Bulletin to press conference transcripts.
Nuccia Fusco, owner of Surfers Paradise’s restaurant Costa D’Oro, two weeks ago said she was on the cusp of rebelling and ignoring patron limits given the mass protests.
Yesterday, she fumed: “It’s frustrating. Two weeks on from the protest, there’s been no spikes in cases, there’s hardly any cases in Queensland, none with community transfer and the restrictions are still in place for hospitality, which doesn’t make sense. We all want the border open, however, even if (Ms Palaszczuk) keeps the borders closed, Queensland should be open to Queenslanders.
“Restrictions as they stand now are contradictory and don’t make sense. You are allowed to have unlimited people in shopping centres, markets, protests as long as you’re 1.5m away from each other.”
Ms Fusco can serve 50 at a time instead of 170 capacity.
Scott Imlach, who owns restaurants and bars, including Bine Bar & Dining and Nightcap at Nobby Beach, said the industry was “left in the lurch”.
Saturday was a fortnight since 30,000 Black Lives Matter protesters marched in Brisbane. No new cases have been linked to the gathering and since then Queensland has recorded five new cases
“We’re frustrated. It’s ridiculous. Where are we going with this? When will the next step happen? What’s the game plan?” Mr Imlach said. “It’s bizarre what’s going on.”
At the time of the June 6 protest, 1061 cases had been recorded in total, including three active cases statewide. That had risen by five cases to 1066 yesterday, including only two active cases, according to Deputy Premier Steven Miles.
Mr Imlach said existing Stage 2 restrictions, limiting venues to 20 patrons per defined area with at least 4sq m of floor space per person, required more staff than normal, despite some venues operating at a fifth of capacity.
“You’ve got to put staff on because you’ve got to do table service everywhere and you can’t go to the bar and order a drink, even though you can go to a cafe and get a takeaway coffee. It’s absolutely stupid, doesn’t make sense at all. It’s a costly exercise.”
He said takings were down 80 per cent at some venues.
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall agreed restrictions should be reconsidered.
“There’s been no new cases from the protest and it reinforces we need to increase the gap and remove the cap,” he said. “The hurt is being compounded by the delay and uncertainty around the border opening.”
Main Beach’s Domani’s restaurant owner Neil Fisher said he was “surviving” but “could use a few more people being allowed in”.
He was supportive of ending all restrictions but “maybe wait a week or two and see what happens in Victoria”.
“As long as there’s not any more stupid protests,” he said.
The State Government’s Road Map to Easing Queensland’s Restrictions states rules could ease from July 10, “subject to … review”.
But Ms Palaszczuk has raised concerns about dozens of new COVID-19 cases in Victoria and avoiding a “second wave” in Queensland.
A spokesman for the Premier said she made it clear people should not protest during the pandemic.
The spokesman said the road map was “a path to recovery” that could be delivered “because we continue to manage the health impacts”.
Relief to small businesses has included grants, loans and payroll relief, he said.
TWO WEEKS ON FROM THE PROTEST, THERE’S BEEN NO SPIKES IN CASES … RESTRICTIONS ARE STILL IN PLACE
NUCCIA FUSCO