The Australian Hotels Association has announced it will continue to work closely with Federal and State Governments following the announcement of a 100-person indoor limit on all venues.
AHA National CEO Stephen Ferguson said the new restrictions will have a huge social impact, however, the Association was still urgently seeking clarification on the exact details as to how the change will work.
“Obviously we will be following the instructions of the Government and medical experts to the letter – the number one priority is saving lives and stopping people becoming ill,” he said.
“But there’s no doubt this ban on more than 100 people gathering in venues will have a devastating impact on our workforce of more than 250,000 and will also impact our millions of patrons across Australia.
“We saw what an important role hotels play in their communities during the recent bushfires across large parts of the nation – this new development is an unprecedented move which will have a big social impact for some time."
“Obviously we will be following the instructions of the Government and medical experts to the letter – the number one priority is saving lives and stopping people becoming ill..."
- AHA National CEO Stephen Ferguson
Locally, AHA Newcastle Hunter President Rolly de With echoed this national response and welcomed the ability to keep staff employed.
"Locally, our industry and members will be following government recommendations to ensure the safety and well-being of our patrons, staff and the community at large.
"These new measures while stringent, will still allow most venues to trade and staff to remain employed. In the media we speak about venues, but this is really about the human element. It is about the impact to people and their ability to maintain the cost of living. These measures will allow us, as employers, to do that for staff.
"In the media we speak about venues, but this is really about the human element. It is about the impact to people and their ability to maintain their cost of living..."
- AHA Newcastle Hunter President Rolly de With
"While these measures are unprecedented and the road ahead remains uncertain, the resilience and spirit of our pubs and those who make our industry great will endure."