We always acknowledged the inevitability that Queensland would have cases of COVID-19. The State has prepared for this eventuality in line with the Australian Government’s policy of suppression rather than eradication.
Considering the recent cases in our State and outbreaks in Victoria and New South Wales, it is important we remain vigilant in our collection of every person’s accurate contact tracing details. This will be a focus of inspections by OLGR, Queensland Police and Queensland Health authorities.
COLLECTION OF CONTACT TRACING DETAILS IS CRITICAL
Venues must supervise the signing in process to ensure:
- the required information is collected for every guest. This collection process must be closely managed by venue staff. It is not acceptable to rely on patrons to voluntarily provide their information without verification from staff
- the contact information is kept in a way that the person in charge of the venue can immediately (within 1 hour) produce to OLGR officers if requested
- patron privacy is protected – do not not allow patrons to view details of others
PATRON ENTRY – COLLECTION OF DETAILS
All venues MUST collect and keep contact information for ALL guests, staff and contractors attending their venue. This is absolutely critical and an area of compliance focus from OLGR and Queensland Police.
The following information for each person must be recorded and retained for a period of 56 days: Date / Name / Address OR Email / Phone number / Time period of patronage
ACCURACY REQUIRES SUPERVISION
Ensure there is sufficient supervision of patrons entering their correct details. These records must be complete and accurate – verify patron details if the entry is unreasonable or incomplete eg. ‘Wazza’ or ‘Donald Duck’.
PRIVACY
Be mindful of patron privacy – ensure details of unrelated groups are not visible to each other. If using a master sign-in sheet, cover the details of previous entries.
AVAILABILITY FOR INSPECTION
Contact tracing details MUST be available to an inspector on request. If using technology (i.e. an app or online form) you also need to have controls in place to ensure:
• staff are checking patrons have entered all the relevant information accurately
• information is stored securely
• information is available to an inspector upon request (within 1 hour).
For a QHA Contact Tracing Details Form - CLICK HERE
PATRON EXIT TIME SIGNAGE AND REGISTER
QHA has been working closely with Queensland Health regarding clarification of the Time period of patronage. Signing out is the responsibility of the patron but venues must have a sign to support this.
EXIT SIGNAGE
It is a non-mandatory recommendation for patrons to sign out, however, venues MUST display a sign to support this.
To access the QHA EXIT SIGN – CLICK HERE
EXIT REGISTER
QHA suggests a separate register located at exit points which simply has the: Date / Name / Time of exit
To access the QHA EXIT REGISTER SIGN – CLICK HERE
INDUSTRY COVID SAFE PLAN AND CHECKLISTS – UPDATED 29 JULY
Ensure you are working in compliance with the INDUSTRY COVID SAFE PLAN FOR QUEENSLAND HOTELS, CLUBS, NIGHTCLUBS and ADULT ENTERTAINMENT STAGE 3 - 2020 (Version 29 July 2020).
The updated version incorporates the requirement that patrons are to be seated while eating or drinking.
Venues should have the Plan and signed checklists available on request for inspection by authorities.
To access the latest version dated 29 July 2020 – CLICK HERE
UPDATED VENUE ENTRY SIGNAGE – DECLARED HOTSPOTS
To access the QHA updated entry signage – CLICK HERE
SUPPORT PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND SEATED DRINKING
Ensuring physical distancing is a shared responsibility of patrons and venues. Patrons should observe physical distancing where possible when attending a venue by remaining 1.5 metres from others, unless they are in the same group.
Venues should encourage this via complying with their total venue capacity number, signage, furniture placement and management of point-of-sale areas, queues and bathroom facilities. It is also important to manage your business so that patrons are spread across the venue to allow for physical distancing to occur – do not let areas get over-crowded.
Patrons should only be standing and/or moving through the venue for a purpose eg. accessing service points or amenities.
PRIVATE FUNCTIONS – SEATED ONLY
Do patrons need to be seated if attending a private function at my venue?
Yes. The requirement for patrons to be seated when dining or drinking must be applied to the entire venue, including private function rooms. The purpose of reinstating the requirement for seated drinking and dining is to assist with physical distancing and, like other areas within a venue, a private function can include large numbers of people who are not part of the same group. Standing and mingling of attendees is to be discouraged.
DESIGNATED OUTDOOR SMOKING AREAS (DOSAS)
Do patrons need to be seated when inside designated outdoor smoking areas (DOSAs)?
No, however provision of seating is encouraged to promote physical distancing and minimise mingling between groups. Patrons do need to be seated when inside a DOSA if they are consuming a drink. By law, consuming food within a DOSA is not permitted.
Physical distancing between groups needs to be provided for and monitored by licensees and staff at the venue. Existing smoking laws must also be complied with.
DARTS AND POOL
Can I operate a pool table or darts at my venue?
Yes. You can allow pool and darts to be played at your venue, provided it’s in compliance with your Industry COVID Safe Plan or checklist.
This includes providing for physical distancing for players and putting hygiene measures in place, particularly around the sharing of communal equipment with high touch points such as pool cues and darts.
Players are still required to be seated while eating or drinking and other patrons are not permitted to stand around watching the game.
