Please give us room to survive

THE city’s peak business group has called for an easing of the 4sqm rule for restaurants, saying it is causing hardship for operators and customers.

Meanwhile, the State Government says it is acting on the latest health advice.

Restrictions have been eased and brought forward but restaurants with a floorspace over 200 square metres continue to operate under a 4sqm density restriction of one person or a group.

Privately, restaurateurs say the issue is causing angst for operators and the police.

C Bar operator Allan Pike said the 4sqm rule was having a massive impact on their business, reducing the number of guests and staff by about a half and in turn reducing the hours they were able to operate.

Mr Pike said customers were having to queue or be turned away.

“We need (the State Government) to review their restrictions on restaurants over 200sqm and allow us one person per 2sqm and let us get back to some sort of normality,” Mr Pike said.

Townsville Chamber of Commerce president Michele Falconieri said their hospitality members were confused and concerned over restrictions that had worsened rather than eased.

“Most business owners are bending over backwards to do the right thing but it’s disappointing when implementing the 4sqm rule for businesses over 200sqm means that some establishments have had to reduce their capacity, while for businesses under 200sqm the restrictions have eased,” Mr Falconieri said.

He said the rule was a double standard when up to 100 people could gather in private homes.

“With the borders due to open this week we need to help businesses to ensure that they are viable and able to cater to the current demand and the new demand,” Mr Falconieri said.

A Queensland Government spokesman said they would continue to act on the latest health advice to keep Queenslanders safe, including the Townsville community.

“On June 26, the Prime Minister announced that National Cabinet had agreed that, based on national health advice, states and territories could allow small premises to apply a one person, per 2sqm rule with a COVID-SAFE plan in place,” the spokesman said.

“Queensland’s roadmap to recovery clearly states that this may be reviewed based on the latest health advice.”

Mr Falconieri said he had raised the issue with Small Business Minister Shannon Fentiman during her visit to Townsville last week.

Ms Fentiman said she had raised the issue with the Health Minister and the COVID-19 Taskforce. “We will continue to act on the latest health advice,” she said.