Australia’s hospitality & tourism industry grapples as COVID-19 cases surge

For Australia, its hospitality and tourism industries are significant in terms of overall contribution to the country’s output, the number of people it employs and for promoting Australia’s rich culture and beauty. However, with skyrocketing coronavirus cases across the nation and the threat of new variants, the industry has been drastically suffering.

Ever since the pandemic began in 2020, life has been a rollercoaster journey for the people employed in the industry, unfortunately, with mostly lows. After shutting the state and the national borders for over 18 months, Australia was all set for an upbeat recovery. However, the virus had other plans in line.

COVID-19 cases surge again 

The coronavirus cases were fortunately stagnant (almost) after the effective mass countrywide vaccination. However, as the new variant: Omicron took a lead in the world, the cases experienced a surge once again, and continue to wreak havoc.
Until mid-December, cases were low, however, in the Christmas week, the graph went up. However, it was still bearable. Post-New Year, the cases are going dramatically up, causing serious problems across the tourism and hospitality industry in the country.
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Australia’s tourism & hospitality industry grapples 
According to the last seven days on average, Australia is getting around 40,000 COVID-19 positive cases daily. Due to the rise in cases, the industry is drifting on the rough patch once again. Several hotel owners have said that someone or the other in their staff has tested positive, because of which the others might get infected too.
Additionally, people are scared to visit hotels, bars, and pubs due to the risk of getting infected. This time of year was supposed to be the busiest time as people finally come out, enjoy drinks, good company and sunsets.

The situation is almost the same across Melbourne, Victoria, and Queensland- skyrocketing COVID-19 cases due to Omicron and thus low work staff and lesser guests. Additionally, another reason for the shortage of staff in the industry is that many people were skilled immigrants, who have been unable to re-join work here because of the pandemic.
Thus, the hotel, bar and pub owners have decided to keep the open hours limited to maintain a balance between safety and business. The government hasn’t given any orders specifically about the industry yet.
The people running the businesses are getting ready for the next couple of rough months. At the rate the cases are rising; it’s predictable that the next two months are not going to be easy; especially for the hospitality and the tourism business across the country.
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The inefficiency of the testing system?
The main cause of concern that most people have reported is the inefficiency of the COVID-19 testing system across the country. Because of the sudden surge in cases, getting an RT-PCR test done is more problematic for the people at this moment. In several cases, the report doesn’t even arrive within 24 hours. There is a need for the establishment of a rapid testing system for the workers across the hospitality and tourism industry.
Many businesses have shut themselves already because of the issues stated above; several are going through huge losses. It is yet to be known how the third wave affects the entire country; however, it seems like it is going to have a significant impact on the hospitality and the tourism industry. Although, with quick testing and effective guidelines, the situation can be brought under control for all.
SOURCE: KALKINE MEDIA