Restaurants call for clarity on NSW lockdown length

Restaurants and Catering Australia has called for clarity from the NSW government over whether (or when) NSW will come out of lockdown.

While it is looking less and less likely that NSW will end its lockdown this week, the hospitality industry is asking for clear guidelines so they can better plan their weekend services if the state does open up.

The NSW government will outline its plans on Thursday, despite the uncertainty causing enormous financial burden to the industry.

Thousands of staff have been stood down, while officials continue to deflect questions about whether lockdown orders will be revoked on Friday.  

According to The Australian cabinet ministers John Barilaro, Dominic Perrottet and Stuart Ayres “are currently devising plans to keep the state open and functioning without the need for ongoing lockdowns”.

Wes Lambert, Restaurants and Catering Australia CEO, wants a decision by Thursday to allow hospitality providers to place orders and “try to have as normal a weekend as possible”.

“Businesses in NSW who are now entering their second week of lockdown are being forced to read the tea leaves on when this lockdown will end,” Mr Lambert told The Australian.

“While rumours are circulating wildly about an extension, no clear trigger has been proposed about when (the lockdown) will end. (We) implore the government to give businesses some lead time – don’t leave it until Friday morning.”

Bondi Trattoria co-owner Alasdair France has stood down most of his 20 staff members in the uncertainty and believes early notice will have little effect as suppliers will have reduced stock.

“It’s pretty heartbreaking,” France said.

“You can’t get an announcement on Friday night and be ready on Saturday morning. You need at a minimum 24 hours’ notice to put in orders and get deliveries and prep.”

Outbreaks at the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) and Fairfield Hospital are a cause for concern.

An unvaccinated student nurse worked while exposed to the virus between June 24 and June 28.

Up to 500 staff have been in isolation at RNSH, forcing elective surgery to be cancelled. Up to 120 staff at Fairfield Hospital have been required to isolate.

Not helping the issue are party goers who continue to flout the rules.

The Meriton Suites in Sydney suburb Waterloo is now under investigation after a small party occurred there in 26 June.

Meanwhile St George Illawarra Dragons players have been handed down $305,000 in fines after forward Paul Vaughan hosted a party that breached the league’s Level 4 Biosecurity Protocols and the state government’s stay-at-home order.

Thirteen players are embroiled in the saga with harsher penalties, including sackings, reportedly on the table.

Jack de Belin hid under a bed as police raided the home.

Given people are losing their jobs, some can’t see dying relatives and the hospitality industry is suffering immensely, a lack of adherence to current lockdown rules has rightly infuriated Sydney residents. 

Irit Jackson, 6th July 2021