Hospitality sector to take stronger precautions

The Australian Hotels Association WA has made a number of recommendations for the state’s hospitality sector to reduce the spreading of COVID-19, with Crown Resorts Perth extending its social distancing measures to Perth.

The recommendations came as confirmed coronavirus cases in Western Australia reached 31.

The hotels association said the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus pandemic meant new measures needed to be taken to protect the state’s workforce and customers.

The AHA has recommended a number of standard conditions to be implemented by WA hospitality businesses, including physical social distancing of at least 1.5 metres between unrelated people and the enhanced screening for illness among food-prep staff.

The association has also recommended that businesses ensure hand sanitiser is available and visible on premises, and seats, tables and other frequently touched surfaces are sanitised after every use.

“All industry stakeholders have a responsibility to explore a range of options to assist businesses to remain viable and to ensure our workforce is protected,” AHA (WA) chief executive Bradley Woods said.

He urged banks and financial lenders to ensure debts were not called on prematurely on businesses and that “reasonable expectations” were placed on clients.

“We will also implore all tiers of government, utility companies and landlords to consider options to ensure continuity of trade,” Mr Woods said.

“This will mean engaging in early communication, being mutually understanding of the unique situation we are currently experiencing and negotiating tailored solutions to support the long-term sustainability of the industry.”

He said the extent of impacts from COVID-19 would depend on how the sector managed the situation now and in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Crown Resorts in Perth has implemented social distancing measures, which were already introduced at casinos in Sydney and Melbourne.

The measure is effective as of today.

This includes distancing seated players at gaming tables, with no standing players allowed, and reduce the number of players at each stand-up table game to five players.

Crown will also switch off every second gaming machine.

Further, the resort will restrict the number of patrons in individual foot and beverage, banqueting and conference facilities to 450 people.

Crown says it will continue to monitor COVID-19 and follow guidelines from health authorities.

There has been one death in WA as a result of the virus and five across Australia, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health.

Just over 6,500 Western Australians have tested negative for COVID-19.