Years Serving the SA Hotel Industry
From the General Manager IAN HORNE – AHA|SA GENERAL MANAGER
Crunch Time Mandatory vaccinations for customers and staff are inevitable in South Australia. Such mandates are a reality in all other states because those State Governments decided to make it compulsory for businesses and hospitality.
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The SA Government have chosen not to. They say that the decision should be up to each business and not imposed by Government. But the devil is in the detail! The state’s COVID READY PLAN, released hurriedly on 25 October 2021 makes it very clear that when the State reaches a double vaccination level of 90% of 12-year olds and over, the current restrictions will be reviewed. Further, the COVID READY PLAN says quite clearly that ‘high risk’ activities such as night clubs (read this as code for dancing) and standing and consuming alcohol (as opposed to soft drink or water?) will only be available for those who are double vaccinated. That’s right! If a venue wishes to benefit from removing restrictions then the venue must mandate double vaccinations for customers and therefore by default, all staff – or at least those who are customer facing. If a venue chooses NOT to require double vaccinations, which will be their right, it will mean they will be denied the right to trade without restrictions. 6 | Hotel SA | W W W . A H A S A . A S N . A U
So, it’s essentially a Government imposed double vaccination mandate but via the back door. The venue has the ‘choice’ but the venue really has no choice as they will be placed at a significant commercial disadvantage compared to competitors who do require double vaccinations. Similarly, with 90% plus of the community vaccinated appropriately ie. double vaccinated, a large part of the community will be ‘demanding’ such a standard be applied at their favourite pub, bar, dining room, hotel, etc. Accepting this reality, members must start a process of consultation with employees. Back to Contents
