With just over 40 per cent of the over 16 population vaccinated in Western Australia, the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) is encouraging people to get vaccinated to avoid the possibility of being locked out of their local pub, bar, tavern or restaurant.
AHA (WA) CEO Bradley Woods said while the Western Australian government has not mandated vaccinations within the hospitality industry, Crown Perth’s announcement of its intention to implement a mandatory vaccination policy for entry to their complex demonstrates that it would be wise for Western Australians to get vaccinated now.
Mr Woods said: “Western Australia has been extremely fortunate to have avoided the devastating effects of the pandemic to date, however we know that with respect to the Delta variant, it is a matter of when, not if, it arrives in WA.
“We have a unique window of opportunity to get as many people as possible in WA vaccinated, with new supplies of vaccines coming online and available to all eligible cohorts.”
On Monday, Crown Resorts said it is looking to introduce a ‘no jab, no entry’ policy for punters and mandatory COVID vaccination for all its staff members.
Chief executive, Steve McCann said, “We are a very large employer and hospitality has been very hard hit. It’s usually one of the first in lockdown and the last to come out.
“There’s a lot of staff uncertainty around job security … there are a lot of challenges specific to hospitality, which is why we need to show some leadership.”
Crown Perth is the state’s biggest single-site employer, with a workforce of about 6,000 people.
Mr Woods cited New South Wales and Victoria saying, “The Reopening NSW roadmap shows that only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to certain freedoms including the ability to visit the pub, while in Victoria similar proposals have been flagged by Premier Daniel Andrews.”
“The best way to avoid being locked out of your local pub, bar or restaurant is by getting the jab.”
