Covid-safe help for business

Bass Coast Shire, Bass Coast Health, local police and Destination Phillip Island joined forces to support businesses during the holidays.

The Q&A sessions were billed as an opportunity for businesses to talk with local organisations about Covid safety and how to stay open.

The sessions included BCH CEO Jan Child, Senior Sergeant Andy O’Brien and representatives from DPI and council.

The move comes after businesses raised concerns about policing the Covid requirements, particularly enforcing mask wearing and checking ID to ensure patrons were not from metropolitan Melbourne.

In August, local business owners told the Advertiser 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.

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.”