Support for small businesses under new COVID normal

Published Wednesday, 01 December, 2021 at 02:42 PM

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Di Farmer

As Queensland nears eased business restrictions, the Palaszczuk Government is stepping up support to help small businesses navigate through the new COVID normal.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said a range of resources, including a free training course and signage to manage entry of patrons, were available from today.

“From 17 December, hospitality and entertainment businesses with fully vaccinated customers and staff will be free to return to normal operation without any capacity restrictions,” Minister Farmer said.

“The majority of businesses are extremely happy to see this new way forward and to be able to operate at full capacity over the holiday period.

“But this is a new normal for all of us, and we acknowledge that businesses will need support with the new requirements. 

“We have worked closely with peak bodies from the hospitality and tourism sectors to develop these additional support materials so businesses can manage the new measures.

“Signage is now available for businesses to display so that customers are clear on the vaccination requirements before they walk in – similar to what we have done with the Check In Qld app.

“This ensures there is the same clear message for all patrons across Queensland, taking some pressure off busy business owners.”

In partnership with TAFE Queensland, a free online training course will go live later today for hospitality and entertainment businesses to implement the new measures and manage the entry of customers.

“More than 234 000 Queenslanders completed the first series of COVID-safe micro-credentials courses we made available when the pandemic first hit,” Minister Farmer said.

“This new micro-credential explains what the new restrictions mean and how people can prove their vaccination status.”

Businesses will need to display the vaccination requirements and use their best efforts to ask for evidence of vaccination from customers at the time of check-in.

To make the checking of vaccination status easy, Queenslanders can now link their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate to the Check In Qld app, meaning customers can check in and show they are fully vaccinated, all through the one app.

“We do not expect business owners or staff to be the police – if there are customers refusing to comply with the rules, then the police will step in,” the Minister said.

“These businesses are hard-working families - many have young employees - and they have experienced a really tough 18 months or more.

“When you are visiting these places, please respect the staff and the rules that they have in place.

“That’s exactly what an advertising campaign will encourage Queenslanders to do in the week leading up to December 17.

“Aggressive and abusive behaviour will simply not be tolerated, and penalties will apply for those patrons who do not comply.”

Minister Farmer thanked businesses and industry leaders for putting the health of Queenslanders first.

“I want to thank our small business industry stakeholders for their leadership in what must be the most challenging time any of us will ever face,” Minister Farmer said.

“We will continue to work closely with the hospitality, retail and tourism sector to ensure support is in place for businesses as these changes come into effect.

“I encourage all Queenslanders yet to be vaccinated to make it a priority, because it’s the best way to support small businesses going forward.” 

Frequently asked questions are available from the Queensland Health website

For the latest information and support visit www.business.qld.gov.au/vaccination-restrictions

For information about mandating the vaccination of workers visit www.coronavirus.fairwork.gov.au

 

ENDS

Media contact:          Ben Brew        0468 839 5551