Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls on State Government to scrap enforcement burden for businesses

Albany’s peak business lobby has called on the State Government to remove the need for “higher-risk” venues to police proof of vaccination to ease the burden for struggling businesses. Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Lisa Smith said local business owners were starting to question the logic of restrictions which were “creating a shadow lockdown” despite WA’s strong vaccination rates. Thursday marks the first day of the easing of Level 2 COVID-19 restrictions after four weeks. Announcing the changes last week, Premier Mark McGowan said WA was on track for a “soft landing” through the Omicron wave due to lower-than-expected COVID-19 hospitalisations and ICU admissions, and the State sitting at 75 per cent third dose vaccination rate. The 150-patron cap on nightclubs and hospitality venues has been lifted to 500 — and will be removed completely from April 14 — and venues that serve food and alcohol are no longer required to operate as seated service only. Mask-wearing is still required indoors for adults and children in Year 3 or above, and the 2sqm rule remains in place for hospitality, fitness and entertainment venues as well as places of worship and beauty services. Contact registration is now only required at “higher risk venues” that require proof of vaccination such as bars, cafes, cinemas and restaurants. It is no longer necessary to use QR check-in codes at venues such as supermarkets that do not need to see proof of vaccination. Last week, Mr McGowan said the Government would be monitoring the impact of the revised Level 1 public health measures and he hoped to remove the remaining restrictions “as soon as possible”. Ms Smith said after more than two years of “seemingly ever-changing” COVID restrictions for businesses, Thursday’s changes signified a “welcomed light at the end of the tunnel” for some. But the easing of restrictions were not enough for the “large majority of Albany businesses” considered a “higher-risk” venue, she said. “Our vaccination rates are one of the highest in the country which makes the continuation of these restrictions seem unnecessary,” Ms Smith said. “Business owners are starting to question the logic of the mandates when you consider the amount of people gathering in a larger retail store as opposed to a small cafe.” She said the continuing restrictions only targeted specific sectors “creating a shadow lockdown”. “Those in the ‘high-risk’ category are generally considered small business and are not only required to find extra staff, or redistribute their workers at the cost of services or experience they would usually provide to customers, but they are also having to request patrons to show their proof of vaccination status as well as sign in,” she said. “These mandates businesses are required to enforce and pay for, are adding extra pressure and stress when you also consider they are still having to navigate worker shortages.” Last Thursday, Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive Bradley Woods called for QR check-in codes at remaining businesses — predominately hospitality and entertainment venues — to be scrapped by April. Ms Smith said to ease the burden on businesses in the high-risk category the ACCI would like to see the end of the need to police proof-of-vaccination status of patrons, eliminating check-ins. “Businesses have shown great resilience and adaptability in adhering to the constantly changing mandates and restrictions under the threat of massive fines,” she said. “But the pressure of having to adhere to these requirements for such an extended period could ultimately close businesses for good. “We have encouraged businesses to contingency plan and have COVID responses in place, however regardless of how much contingency planning a business owner might do, they cannot safely predict what the State Government’s next move will be.”