Hospitality businesses in the southern Wheatbelt encouraged to be ‘adaptable’ ahead of border opening

Hospitality businesses in the southern Wheatbelt are preparing for the new proof-of-vaccination rules after more than two years of trading COVID-free. WA residents visiting hospitals, hospitality venues, bottle shops, gyms and festivals will be required to show proof of double-dose COVID-19 vaccination status as of January 31. Venues will be required to check all patrons are double-jabbed through the ServiceWA app or by seeing proof of their COVID-19 vaccination along with approved identification. Narrogin Nursery Cafe and Gallery owner Mike Brown said his business had felt few effects of the pandemic, but they were ready to jump on board with the new rules. “We’ve been all good so far and all the staff have taken it on board because they have recognised the need despite not all of them being happy with it,” he said. “We have operated as normal to date but that may change. “At the moment people have to sign, which they are doing, and we have all the facilities and opportunities for people to do the right thing.” Mr Brown said the looming border reopening date felt like they were waiting to get burgled. “I can’t see how it won’t explode into WA,” he said. “We have been very lucky and fairly well managed with some good calls and some very disappointing calls. “It’s going to be difficult to police, it’s going to be difficult to manage personally and it’s not going to be easy in the future.” Mr Brown said despite the uncertainty ahead he backed the rules and mandates. “Its pretty hard to pre-empt what will happen but one thing for certain is that the rules are there for the benefit for the community,” he said. “Science will get on top of it all and with a bit of common sense it will just be a matter of time but for now we just have to suck it up.” The Williams Woolshed has had a taste for monitoring COVID-19 rules with herds of tourists passing through the popular rest-stop on Albany Highway. Co-owner Simon Maylor said he had found most of Perth and Peel visitors had been doing the right thing while travelling through the region. “I found the Perth and Peel people to be quite amazing,” he said. “The majority of people in the building during that (mask mandate) time were all wearing masks, so we didn’t have any issues with that. “People were more than willing to check in manually or by the app. “I have seen majority of people doing the right thing.” However, not all business owners have chosen to comply with the proof-of-vaccination policy. Pingelly Exchange Tavern owner Jeanette Jeffrey has decided to step back from her business after choosing to not get a COVID-19 vaccination. The local watering hole will still be open with modified hours and the accommodation side of the business will continue to welcome guests. “It’s going to impact the way we run our business,” Ms Jeffrey said. “I’ll be removing myself from the public within the business. “We will still will do accommodation and everyone will need to be double-vaccinated and show their passports.” Ms Jeffrey said she was concerned about how the policy would affect the number of customers coming through the door. “We probably won’t have the amount of travellers that we used to, a lot of people will probably stay at home and play it safe,” she said. “I dare say that Mark McGowan, as soon as it (COVID-19) becomes rampant, will start closing down regions to protect the people. “We are going to be affected, probably more seriously than we have ever been before.” Narrogin Chamber of Commerce executive officer Kerry Bryant said businesses and workers have had plenty of time to get vaccinated. “It’s something that is here to stay and we just have to be adaptable,” she said. “As regional businesses I think we are already adaptable so I have all confidence in their ability to adapt again. “When the restrictions came in on those businesses who were dine-in venues, they all of a sudden started doing takeaway and meal delivery. “We don’t get the large crowds like the big venues in Perth, I just think don’t think it’s going to be an issue to those people who are in business.”