4 Far North Queensland pubs fined as they come under the COVID microscope
After multiple warnings, four Far North Queensland businesses have been fined for failing to address several breaches and potentially exposing their staff and patrons to COVID-19.
Breaches included failing to record and provide patrons’ contact details, lack of hygiene and lack of social distancing.
$6670 worth of fines were issued to three businesses, with one sole trader stung with a $1134 fine.
Emergency officers recently undertook region-wide compliance checks, auditing restricted businesses and events, when these breaches were discovered.
Director of Cairns Tropical Public Health Service, Richard Gair said it was disappointing operators were not sticking to the rules and potentially exposing the public to the potentially deadly virus.
“It is unfortunate that we have our first business being fined, but people’s health and safety is paramount,” Dr Gair said.
“There is a lot more room for improvement.
“As we have seen in Victoria, the virus can spread very quickly if undetected.”
After the recent confirmed cases in southeast Queensland, Dr Gair urged restaurant and pub owners to do more to keep COVID at bay in their region.
Fines of $6672 for corporations and $1334 for sole traders can be expected for failure to comply with the directions of the Chief Health Officer.
Businesses may also be forced to shut down if further breaches are found after a fine is issued. If this is the case, the business will need to remain closed until their procedures are brought up to standard.
Environmental health manager at Cairns Tropical Public Health Service, Brad Milligan said only in the instance of transmission will the patrons’ contact details be used.
“The information is used to contact people as quickly as possible to alert them to the potential risk of COVID-19 and to advise them to take appropriate measures, including getting tested.
“This measure really is about protecting people, families and the vulnerable,” Milligan said.
The fines come as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk declared Greater Sydney a coronavirus hotspot, while a larger number of new corona cases have surfaced in Queensland.
Irit Jackson, 4th August 2020
