While it is something we would all like to leave in the past, the fact is COVID-19 remains a significant disruption to business, life, and leisure in 2022. Readers of Resort News will be acutely aware the tourism sector has been battered by the pandemic over the past few years. Opening the borders has been a huge boost, yet the tens of thousands of accompanying Omicron cases have put a dampener on commerce. The COVID-19 pandemic has been disruptive, confusing and in many ways difficult for all. Members of SCA (Qld) have risen to the challenge and navigated the difficult problems of strata and social distancing. For many schemes that contain a tourist element, managing the minefield of ever-changing restrictions has been particularly difficult. It is important to remember that all the evidence and expert health advice indicates that this wave will peak in the coming months. The restrictions which accompany the present COVID-19 wave is a relatively light touch, particularly compared to previous lockdowns. We all need to remember that this wave will pass, to work together and not to panic. Restrictions in strata are in fact minimal, and common sense and self-regulation are what apply. After a few years of being very explicitly told what to do by the government, it is now down
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SCA REPORT
Coronavirus and tourism Kristi Kinast, President, SCA (QLD)
to individuals, businesses, and bodies corporate to work together to ensure the safety of all. We must remember that for many of the tourist style schemes our members manage, this is the last roll of the dice after two years of border closures and historically high vacancies. Businesses associated with these schemes will not survive another dry spell. It is important for communities to work together in earnest to ensure they remain safe and open. Strata schemes have been placed in a difficult position throughout the pandemic given their simultaneously communal and yet private nature. At present, the government has not given committees or managers any power to shut down common property facilities, unless it is pursuant to a new public health order. Pools, saunas, barbeques, and gyms are all unable to be closed by the committee, unless another public health order is released ordering communities to do so. This is good news for residents and guests who can enjoy their holidays safely with the
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Restrictions in strata are in fact minimal, and common sense and self-regulation are what apply knowledge that they will be able to relax and enjoy all the facilities their accommodation has to offer. SCA (Qld) recommends the wearing of masks whenever on common areas to slow the spread within schemes. It is a sensible, easy to perform action which is not disruptive in the slightest. Masks are a simple and easy measure you can take to protect yourself and others and are already a part of normal life for all of us. What is important to remember in strata is that the legally enforceable framework is substantively that which we had in December 2019. It seems a distant memory but the pre COVID-19 way of life is closer than we think. From a tourism perspective, this is welcome, and in addition, there are no rules around access for unvaccinated versus vaccinated in accommodation - making life just that little simpler for managers. Whilst at SCA (Qld) we encourage all to be vaccinated, there is no doubt that body corporate managers and building managers not having to police compliance is a huge relief for them. The tourist sector will hopefully have a booming 2022 which
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means that the need for efficient business practices and flexibility will be paramount. I encourage all readers to exercise discretion in how you manage COVID-19 in schemes. Lockdowns and restrictions do not appear to be coming back any time soon. It is up to all of us to work together to ensure we stay healthy and open. This means wearing face masks as a precaution, adhering to any applicable density limits and, particularly in mixed use schemes following restrictions. COVID will be with us forever it seems, and as the disease continues to slow in pace and become more of a part of life than an unexpected disruption we must adapt accordingly. To this end, we need to ingrain into ourselves a degree of vigilance about COVID-19, all whilst keeping our doors open. The resilience of strata managers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is to be commended, and I for one as President of SCA (Qld) am tremendously proud of all they have achieved. SCA (Qld) understands how important a role our members play in ensuring that Queensland’s tourist sector thrives beyond COVID-19. ResortNews | February 2022
