Restart no picnic for restaurants
It’s one rule for the NRL and another for hospitality with distressed operators blindsided by a State Government too slow to roll out reasonable relaxations on diner limits
NO wonder hospitality bosses, hobbled by seven weeks of pandemic shutdown, feel as if they’ve been flattened by a Gorden Tallis tackle with today’s revised restrictions.
A 10-patron limit is a crushing blow.
Staffing and other costs, including COVID-SAFE training, mean diners would have to drop $300 a head to make the proposition of opening viable, some restaurateurs tell me.
Good luck with that, not only now amid economic hardship, but anytime.
Restaurant, cafe and pub owners say they have been let down by their industry bodies lobbying the government.
One describes the limit of 10 as a “kick in the guts when we’re already on our knees”.
Another despises the irony of groups of 10 being able to picnic in a park, 1.5m apart from other groups, yet large alfresco dining spaces being fixed at only 10 people.
Many feel blindsided by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who called a June restart “ambitious” then brought it forward, leaving them underprepared for today’s reopening but scrambling to make a dollar.
It’s a different story for the juggernaut of rugby league.
Long before politicians and health officials gave it the green light, the NRL had publicised its May 28 return date, creating the distinct impression that football was a force unto itself and would be shown special treatment.
How anyone plans to police five-visitor limits in homes as families and friends gather around the box to watch a fullcontact sport (because social distancing doesn’t apply when it’s rugby league) is a mystery.
I can’t see parking inspectors pulling people into line as they’ll be doing in restaurants, can you?
We’re assured by Australian Rugby League Commission boss Peter V’landys players will respect the “game’s stringent biosecurity protocols”. Check their track record. Recent social distancing defiance by Josh Addo-carr, Nathan Cleary and Latrell Mitchell and anti-vax idiocy are lowlights in a history of entitled behaviour within the code. In the 2019 NRL annual report, which revealed $528 million in revenue, Mr V’landys admitted “player behaviour fell below community expectations”.
Yet we’re supposed to trust it will be better from now on.
We’re supposed to celebrate the Broncos, Cowboys and Titans not having to move to NSW to compete as Ms Palaszczuk has opened the borders to suit the game.
How about levelling the playing field for restaurateurs who, for the most part, earn very little coin for doing the right thing?
Staff at one popular restaurant used to cheer if it made 5 per cent profit. That was PRE-COVID-19 and, by any business model, not a roaring success.
Hospitality attracts passionate people who are willing to sacrifice financial security to do what they love.
They’re a lot like farmers in this way and should be supported, not beaten down.
When Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced this first of a three-stage relaxation of restrictions, he told state and territory leaders to progress through the plan at their own pace. For Queensland’s hurting hospitality industry, a snail’s pace is useless.
Where is the common sense that allows more people in larger premises?
Shopping centres are open, schools have welcomed senior students who are virtually adults, and funerals can be attended by up to 30 people.
But the 10-patron limit in restaurants, cafes and pubs means most cannot open without losing more money.
Even the 20-person rule in rural Queensland where no COVID-19 case has occurred, is a non-proposition for most.
Unless you’re half full, you’re better off keeping doors closed, goes the rule of thumb.
Sydney chef Luke Mangan predicts up to 40 per cent of restaurants will fold if forced to wait until stage 3 (July 10) to viably reopen. Many agree.
The Northern Territory is already into its second stage of relaxations, with people able to eat out and visit a pub without numbers being capped.
There is a time limit of two hours, which seems reasonable for patrons and proprietors, plus strict safety measures. It can be done. Queensland’s hospitality sector is aching to get back to work, and operators are right to resent the special treatment shown to big players like the NRL and demand a fairer deal.