C O V I D - 1 9 S U R V I V A L G U I D E
TASMANIAN LABOR LEADER Rebecca White MP
J ust a few weeks ago, none of us could imagine the world we are now living in. Things we’ve always taken for granted – going to work, visiting friends, going to the pub, sporting events and parties – have had to be suspended while we all work together to protect our family and loved ones from the threat of COVID-19. Sadly, we have also temporarily had to roll up the welcome mat for visitors. The impact of COVID-19 has been felt at an individual level, at a community level and at a whole-of-economy level. The hospitality sector has been hit hard by the necessary changes we’ve had to make as a community. And the sector was one of the earliest to feel the impact. Travel restrictions and business closures have had far-reaching consequences. Across the state, businesses have closed or significantly reduced the scope of their operation. That’s meant jobs losses or reduced hours for the thousands of Tasmanians who are the lifeblood of the sector. We know these decisions have been hard and will have a lasting impact and I convey my sympathy to all those who have seen their hard work undone overnight. We are all in this together and the sacrifices you have made will most certainly help to save lives and for that, I acknowledge and thank you. Tasmania’s border restrictions and the limits on gatherings mean the visitor economy has stalled. Attractions are closed, tours are cancelled and hotel rooms stand empty. This won’t be forever but I don’t underestimate the impact it is having right now. I’ve been so proud of how the hospitality sector has demonstrated leadership in complying with these difficult restrictions and coping with their impact.
The determination of many in the sector to not just survive, but to adapt and innovate is truly impressive. We’ve seen businesses move from physical delivery of services to online models. We’ve seen distilleries convert production from gin to hand sanitiser. We’ve seen hoteliers offer their facilities to health workers and people who need to quarantine on their entry to Tasmania. In this most difficult of scenarios, we’ve seen a resilience of spirit across the sector to find solutions. It is this same tenacity and enterprising culture that led to Tasmania gaining global recognition over recent years for excellence in service and product. A strength of character that should not only be celebrated, but supported. As hotels are converted in use to provide temporary shelter for people in need, staff and guests need to be kept safe. People are already being moved into hotels to undertake mandatory quarantine. Labor has called on the government to procure additional hotel rooms to accommodate health workers so they are not leaving a high-risk work environment and potentially exposing family members to the virus. We also want to see hotel rooms used for people who need to self-isolate but can’t safely do so at home, and for homeless Tasmanians who have no safe place to self-isolate. We know the sector stands ready to provide these services to fellow Tasmanians, and must be supported to do so safely. Yet hotels are having difficulty accessing personal protective equipment and supplies, such as hand sanitiser, to protect the health and well-being of staff and of guests. We call on the government to do everything it can to support businesses providing essential services to the community during this crisis. It’s that spirit of invention that will help the sector survive this crisis. But you will not do it alone.
THA HOSPITALITY—REVIEW: COVID-19 SURVIVAL GUIDE APRIL 2020 | 28
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