The Australian Hotels Association (WA) says hospitality venues captured by new capacity restrictions are relying on the measures being brief and not expanded to the disastrous 1 in 4sqm density limits that decimate businesses.
AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods welcomed the announcement that WA’s border will reopen from 3 March, which provides certainty and confidence to WA’s hotel, hospitality and tourism sector.
“The announcement of WA’s border reopening is a positive step in the right direction, signalling to Australia and the world that we will soon be open for business and ready to see the return of business and leisure visitors,” Mr Woods said.
“Part of recovering from the pandemic is having a plan that allows hotels and hospitality venues to prepare, market and take forward bookings from visitors, so today’s announcement will deliver the certainty that WA businesses need.”
“While the border reopening date is positive, the return of capacity restrictions is not welcome news for hospitality venues, who bear the brunt of such measures.”
“WA is better prepared than any other state for the arrival and spread of Omicron and we urge the Government to ensure the 1 in 2sqm capacity restrictions apply for only a very limited period.”
“Capacity restrictions directly impact on revenue and limit the ability for venues to trade through the pandemic, making any further restrictions beyond 1 in 2sqm limits unfeasible.”
‘If we see restrictions imposed such as South Australia’s hospitality-destroying density limits of 1 in 4sqm, there will be widespread business closures and mass job losses.”
“We welcome Premier McGowan’s acknowledgement of the financial impact that such restrictions have and for flagging financial compensation to support affected businesses.”
“Without adequate compensation to navigate the period ahead, many of WA’s hospitality venues will be left with no choice other than to shed staff, or worse.”
“The AHA commends the WA Government for today’s common-sense decision to bring bottle shops in line with other retail outlets by removing proof of vaccination requirements.”
