More Glitter Strip venues face fines for breaching restrictions

MP slammed for mocking distancing

MORE Gold Coast restaurants and bars are expected to be fined for breaching COVID-19 restrictions during the weekend when interstate visitors flooded in.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) confirmed on Monday it had inspected 19 venues in Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

A OLGR spokesperson said “although most venues were compliant, some were not”.

The spokesperson added its officers had monitored licensee compliance with the Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young’s restrictions on businesses, with “areas of focus including record keeping for contact tracing, dancing restrictions and occupant density”.

“A number of matters are subject to continuing investigation as a result of identified issues around maximum occupancy, incomplete patron records and dancing being permitted,” the spokesperson said.

“These further investigations will determine whether enforcement action is warranted under the Public Health Act 2005, such as issuing infringement notices of up to $6670.

“It is also important patrons adhere to Chief Health Officer directions, co-operate with licensees and respect physical distancing requirements.”

Coolangatta venue Moxy’s Rooftop Bar was slugged $6672.50 last week for “fail to comply with directions” and “fail to keep patron detail contract register”.

The venue paraded the fine docket on its social media. That prompted support for its plight but also critics saying it was important to obey rules.

AN LNP frontbencher is under fire for “mocking” social distancing after a photo was uploaded to his account with him and a radio personality with the sticker, “This is what social distancing looks like”.

The photo of Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek and Gold Coast radio and TV presenter Luke Bradnam shoulder to shoulder (right) was uploaded as a “story” to the politician’s Instagram account at the weekend.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said everybody made mistakes, but community leaders such as Mr Langbroek must be more careful. “He certainly shouldn’t be mocking social-distancing rules keeping us all safe from COVID-19,” Mr Miles said.

“I encourage him to apologise and use his influence to urge Queenslanders to continue to social distance.”

Mr Langbroek said it was “a good reminder not to be complacent”. On April 20, the exLNP leader praised people who had “done the right thing by restricting all non-essential travel and practicing (sic) social distancing”. “This is a reflection of the true Gold Coast community spirit,” Mr he wrote on his official Facebook page.