A PROMINENT Mount Gambier publican says he remains in the dark as to when he will be allowed to swing open the hotel’s doors to the public.
While the State Government is canvassing options to potentially reopen dining rooms in hotels next month with heavy restrictions, the sector is seeking greater clarity and more viable options for operators.
The city’s hospitality operators have also weighed into the debate and called for a further lift in restrictions.
At this stage, the government has proposed opening up seated dining to a maximum of 20 people in hotels, cafes and restaurants from June 8.
Jens Hotel operator Aaron Davis revealed his hopes were crushed when the State Government announced the easing of some restrictions last Friday.
While restaurants and cafes could now offer outdoor dining to a maximum of 10 people at one time, the hotelier said the new rules did not apply to pubs.
“Step one of the easing of restrictions does not mean anything for the hotel industry. I would love to see a date where we can become operational,” Mr Davis said.
“We were devastated these did not apply to us. The government is still not saying what the date will be for the hotel industry. We need to know what we are doing.”
Mr Davis yesterday urged authorities to fast-track the lifting of restrictions to turbocharge regional economies.
“Regional centres should be given priority. There have been more COVID-19 cases in metropolitan centres,” Mr Davis said.
While not wanting to see Mount Gambier used as a guinea pig, he said the government must look beyond Adelaide.
“I think Adelaide forgets about Mount Gambier quite a bit and that we are actually in their state,” Mr Davis said.
He revealed more than 500 people had lost their jobs in the embattled Mount Gambier hotel sector and impacted a string of food distributors and service providers.
“Before the COVID-19 restrictions came in, we were doing 2000 meals a week. Everybody is now hurting, including the butcher who supplied 1000 schnitzels a week.”
While not wanting to jeopardise people’s health, Mr Davis said there had not been a confirmed COVID-19 case in Mount Gambier for some weeks.
“I would like to see hotels opened up with the same restrictions we shut with,” Mr Davis said.
While these restrictions were tough, he said they were better than nothing.
“At that time, we were not allowed to have any more than 100 people within the hotel. Different areas were only allowed to have a certain number of people,” Mr Davis explained.
“We had 31 staff. If we went back to these restrictions, we could probably put 15 people back to work straight away.”
The hotelier said it was important the sector could climb back on its feet given it still had to pay bills during the forced shutdown.
Mr Davis expressed optimism the Blue Lake city would emerge from the COVID-19 economic crisis.
“I went down the street (yesterday) and there were people everywhere. I do not think it will take that long for our economy to get back to normal.”
But he said it was important the restrictions were eased in and state border restrictions were stepped up given the coronavirus threat remained.
Hospitality operator Lachlan Mutton – of Sorrentos Cafe – also called for the region to be fast-tracked.
He said opening up outdoor dining for 10 people did little to boost viability.
“Customers dining outside and not being able to consume alcohol. Is this really helping anyone or just adding to the pain and confusion?,” Mr Mutton queried.
“We had eight to 14 degrees and constant rain in Mount Gambier yesterday. Need I say more?”
Mr Mutton said a single blanket set of rules for the whole state did not take in to consideration regional areas.
“Close the roads and open the businesses,” he said.
Caffe Belgiorno spokesperson Anna Gentile yesterday welcomed the lifting of restrictions to allow some outdoor dining.
But she said she looked forward to when patrons could dine inside given Mount Gambier’s cold climate.
