Australia’s continued fall in new COVID-19 infections is sparking calls by industry for more clarity from the government as to when pubs might begin to reopen.
Reaching the end of April and just over a month since the nationwide forced closures of public spaces, including all licensed venues, Australia has seemingly broken the back of the pandemic spread, recording only 23 new cases yesterday. Our count stands at 6,738 cases, with 5,626 (84 per cent) recovered and to date only 88 deaths.
Testing has been widespread, recognised as one of the highest rates in the world at almost 20k per 1 million people (as compared to the USA, 11,666 tests per million, and UK, 7,101 tests per million), and social distancing has successfully brought down the transmission rate to a point where the virus might actually be eliminated in Australia. This major milestone has recently been celebrated in New Zealand.
But it has come at a high price to the economy, even before we feel any long-term effects of the major government spending to help sustain businesses during the closure period.
Despite the assistance, some venues have already announced they will not be reopening; the Woy Woy Roosters club has reportedly wound up the business after an 87 per cent decline in revenue left it with monthly losses in the tens of millions.
One study estimates as many as 42 per cent of registered clubs in NSW may not reopen after the crisis, many still struggling from the effects of the summer’s bushfires.
Mental health professionals, such as Dr Rachael Sharman, lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, notes socialising in pubs and clubs is the primary form of engagement with others for many people, and she warns the impact on peoples’ psyche of the closures has been “far more significant” than widely appreciated.
Current word is that the Federal Government will review the restrictions in place in four weeks, although numerous experts have boded closures to continue until Spring.
The general uncertainty has prompted calls for improved clarity around the likely timing of easing restrictions, as the nation’s 250,000 hospitality employees shelter in limbo.
“Hotels were shut down more than a month ago, but the bills for things like insurance, utilities and land tax continue to come in,” stresses AHA CEO Stephen Ferguson.
“We’re not aware of any proposed changes to open venues. However, when re-opening does finally come our hotels will be prepared and ready to comply with any new measures* asked for by Government.”
One of the country’s largest pub groups, Australian Venue Co. (AVC), with around 170 venues here and across the ditch, was forced to stand down over 4,500 staff. While it continues initiatives to support workers, fronting up over $2 million for programs helping its own and other hospitality staff, more guidance on trade resumption is critical.
“AVC respects both the Government and health advice for when and how lockdown restrictions should be lifted, but it is imperative that there is adequate communication with key dates and targets to allow for adequate training and action,” offers Paul Waterson, AVC CEO.
“The kind of guidance the New Zealand Government is providing is incredibly important, and I am keen to see our Government adopt a similar approach.”
Waterson says the impact of the crisis has been “catastrophic”, but the group has adapted, developing a ‘Safe Socialising Policy’ for the reassurance of customers and in preparation for a rigorous, longer-term approach to social distancing policies.
“I am optimistic about our road to recovery, if we have a clear pathway out. I would like to see the hospitality industry back in operation in a safe and controlled way as soon as it is safe to do so, without compromising on the safety of our customers or staff.
“While we acknowledge that nothing is set in stone in these uncertain times, we would like to be able to start planning for our ‘new normal’, which is certain to include social distancing for the foreseeable future.”
When it does happen, the reopening of licensed venues is likely to be conditional. This may be aided by sufficient take-up of the government’s tracing app, COVIDSafe, which uses mobile phone data to track who has been in contact with patients testing positive. However, the system requires in the region of 40 per cent of the population to install it to be effective, and many have expressed concerns over its use to potentially track people’s movements.
With experts fearing premature relaxation of the social distancing restrictions could lead to a second upward curve of infections, particularly given the potential for spread by asymptomatic infections and a vaccine still expected to be 12-18 months away, Australia will need to continue its high levels of testing to ensure infection rates have been suppressed before any reopening is possible.
*Possible reopening restriction measures, from the AHA:
- Complimentary hand sanitiser around venues
- Sterilisation of bar, tables and chairs after patrons leave
- Constant cleaning of communal items such as ATMs
- No more shared plates or communal snack food
- No more communal cutlery containers
- Floor markings and/or bollards to assist bar service
- Electronic payments where possible
- Staff to be trained in proper hygiene methods
- Tables repositioned to ensure minimum distance of 1.5 metres
