Borders are open but WA pubs and venues face closure after Level 2 restrictions put in place

Western Australian hospitality businesses are preparing for substantial financial losses this long weekend after the premier announced Level 2 restrictions will come into effect today. 

Premier Mark McGowan announced that venues must adhere to a 2sqm rule and 150-person capacity limit with seated-only service. This announcement has seen many venues cancelling events at a time when they thought they would finally be able to recoup recent financial losses. 

In addition to this, stadium events are to be capped at 50 per cent capacity.

Fleur Mayne, publican at The Burlington Hotel said her venue had already seen a 50 per cent drop in business since the introduction of proof-of-vaccination requirements and mask rules.

The drop in numbers forced the owners to close the Indi Bar, their live music area, for the past two weekends in a row. 

“It feels like March 2020 again,” said Ms Mayne. 

“It’s hard enough to pay the bills when there’s no money coming in at all. 

“Things were just starting to pick up and now this has happened.” 

The South West Craft Beer Festival planned for Busselton this weekend has also been cancelled, with organisers announcing the cancellation on their Instagram account hours after Mr McGowan’s announcement.

“The announcement this afternoon by the Premier Mark McGowan on new restrictions being introduced from this Thursday means that our Beer Festival planned for the weekend has been cancelled,” the post read, organisers adding they had tried their best but “we ultimately had the decision made for us”.

Bradley Woods, Chief executive of Australian Hotels Association WA said the Level 2 restrictions would mean some venues will have to lay off staff, while other venues may not find it viable to even open their doors.

The restrictions put nearly 170 events at risk of cancellation with WA Events Industry Association chair Tim Kennedy saying this will “wipe out” nearly the entire month of March. 

Yesterday, McGowan announced a $72 million COVID-19 Business Assistance Package for small and medium businesses affected by the restrictions, which includes a $66.8 million Small Business Hardship Grants Program, $2.8 million towards payroll tax relief for large hospitality businesses and $2.1 million for a COVID-19 Commercial Sporting Franchises Support Program. 

“My Government is committed to doing everything we can to help protect WA businesses, local jobs and the economy from the full brunt of COVID-19,” McGowan said. 

“We know that WA is about to enter its rockiest month but under these Level 2 measures businesses can continue to operate safely, so I encourage everyone to do the right thing, follow the health advice and support local businesses. We will get through this, together.”

Irit Jackson, 3^rd March 2022