Covid fatigue

Is there a bright side to the latest lockdown?

Last week, one exhausted business owner confessed it would be easier if they were locked down, rather than trying to stop people from Melbourne coming in.

When shops, cafes and restaurants were able to open in regional areas, Melburnians fed up with the constant restrictions had been sneaking into the regions.

For many local businesses the struggle to enforce the state government requirements to check customer IDs was exhausting and having a serious impact on staff mental health.

Kimberley Brown from North Pier in Cowes said it was horrendous for staff, who have “been charged by the State with the unlucky job of policing their ever-changing rules”.

She said the impact on morale and mental health has been significant and the business regularly turned away customers who aren’t able to provide proof of a local address.

“On Friday night August 13, we turned away roughly 40 people.”

Each weekend, the number of people trying to come in without adequate ID rose so the venue had to employ extra Covid marshalls to manage the situation.

“Asking patrons for ID has shifted another layer of responsibility to my staff, who are used to asking people for ID for over 18 service, but are not used to debating/arguing and being abused by people who are unable to enter the venue, because their licence says Altona, or some other Metro suburb, despite their convincing explanation of them living on the island for six months.” Kimberley said.

She said anyone who has legitimately moved to the region during Covid should update their licence details immediately.

“It will avoid a lot of stress and heartache all round.”

After a difficult 12 months, she said turning away patrons is heartbreaking, and something many businesses can ill-afford.

“Nobody enjoys turning people away from their business. We obviously want and need and welcome the patrons, and the staff don't enjoy being charged with the responsibility to police something when an adult should be able to follow rules and do the right thing by now themselves,” Kimberley said.

“It’s usually the ones that know they’re breaking the rules who are the most unreasonable.

“Covid isn't new anymore, and my staff have heard every excuse, story, or trick there is. But if it's the difference between business being open and employees having work, then they will all do as best they can.”

Refusal to wear a mask is another ongoing issue.

“We have had patrons spit at staff when they’ve been asked to leave because they refused to wear a mask.”

She said some arguments got so heated security guards had to step in, and people continually tried to bend the rules.

“The first day after the last lockdown lifted, we had a group of 12 young people come in, all without masks, and apparently, all exempt.

“The likelihood of a dozen 20-year-olds all having an exemption is pretty minimal,” she said.

Wild

Jude Mayall at the Wild Food Farm in Rhyll said her staff had dealt with some “very negative, aggressive people”, particularly when they were asked to wear a mask.

“We follow all Covid-Safe plans, but for some I think being asked, politely, was a trigger for bad behaviour,” she said.

“Whilst I don't think that’s an excuse at all, it does seem to give people a reason to vent their anger at what's happening.

“It’s a sad situation and one that I don't want my staff to have to put up with.”

The vexed issue of masks and ID checks did not seem to be creating problems with local accommodation providers.

Most said they hadn’t encountered issues with people from Melbourne trying to make bookings, as customers were used to having to provide their home address and details at the time of the booking.

“We have been very lucky with our customers, as they haven’t had an issue with what is needed,” said Sue from the Seahorse Motel and Apartments in Cowes.