The Hospitality Industry as a whole had to do a double take on NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s recent roadmap to freedom announcement as we come out of lockdown next Monday, October 11.

Senior Managing Partner of Navarra Venues, Giovannino Navarra said, “All along I have been saying throughout this pandemic that these rules and restrictions do not make sense for our industry. I cannot see the difference with constant caps on numbers when the government has rammed down our throats to get double vaxxed and promised we can open up.

On the one hand we are thrilled a limited number of our brides at who the 70% mark were constrained by the 50 person cap can now increase their guest numbers to 100. However, I keep asking the question what is the difference? Our phones rang with the announcement, but they did not ring off the hook.”

“I can hold an event with all the COVID-19 safety measures in place such as an engagement for 200 guests whereas next door an event labelled as a wedding can only have 100 guests. This is ludicrous. It is time to move December 1 date forward. We simply cannot wait any longer because this is not only wreaking havoc with the mental health issues of our brides but it’s an economic crisis about to boil over,” he said

Premier Perrottet’s announcement has increased numbers for the wedding industry but the cap remains with many businesses finding they will not be able to function, repair, and move forward as doubt looms for current dates locked in.

“It is time to start living with this virus and Premier Perrottet can see this, especially since Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant was not forthcoming in her endorsement of this new roadmap to freedom. Our Premier can see the economic, as well as the health crisis, and is constantly reviewing and making changes. This is why I keep asking for December 1 freedoms to move forward,” said Giovannino Navarra

Businesses are also left with the heavy burden to police all this with no indication at present when this information will be incorporated in the check-in app. This makes it a lengthy process for guests and patrons to check in whether attending an event or dining in.

“We are a multi-billion dollar industry that affects our Australian farmers and industries that include liquor and beverages, car hire, beauty, fashion, photographers, flowers, and so on. Let’s put it this way, with the cap remaining for the next two months the wedding industry stands to lose more than $900 million in NSW alone. The ripple effect when you look at it on a wider scope is catastrophic if we are asked to open with our hands tied and our police caps on,” Navarra said

“Even our Prime Minister Scott Morrison has stated that we need to ‘come out of the cave’ and this is in line with our industry urging Premier Perrottet that it’s time to start living with the virus as we have accelerated our vaccination targets and treatments are imminent. We are thankful that Premier Perrottet is committed to reopening and open to making swift changes as he continues to review health and economic recovery. We are ready to welcome all to our venues, restaurants, and cafes.”