Phone 08 9321 7701

Novel Coronavirus Updates

Current as at 9.45am 9 April 2020

Click the image below to view the Johns Hopkins University heat map that updates the number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the world.

The AHA is constantly monitoring the Coronavirus situation working closely with the Commonwealth and WA Government on strategies to help avert the effect that the situation will have on tourism by:

Maintaining constant contact with Tourism Australia and Tourism Western Australia;
Monitoring Commonwealth Department of Health and World Health Organisation advice; and
Participating in industry crisis co-ordination task forces at a State and National level.

Click the icons below for more information:

Good Friday Trading

Following our advocacy to the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor (DRGL), we are pleased to report that Hotels and Taverns that obtain an Occasional Licence will be allowed to sell liquor with takeaway or delivered meals on Good Friday.

Both unrestricted (hotels and taverns) and restricted (restaurant, small bar, tavern restricted, hotel restricted) licences in receipt of the appropriate occasional license, can sell up to one bottle of wine and a six pack of beer or equivalent with each order for a takeaway or delivered meal.

Venues who .

You then need to email the form directly to DRGL at this email address - occasionals@dlgsc.wa.gov.au

It is critical that you do not lodge this form using the DRGL portal. Emailing the form will ensure that the Department has the best opportunity to process all applications in time. No fee or other information will be required.

For more information on the Occasional Licence, please click here.
For any other queries regarding this or other liquor licencing matters, please contact Mike Andrew at membership@ahawa.asn.au.

AHA seures Good Friday Occasional Licences

Following our advocacy to the Department of Racingith , Gaming and Liquor (DRGL), we are pleased to report that Hotels and Taverns that obtain an Occasional Licence will be allowed to sell liquor wtakeaway or delivered meals on Good Friday.

oth unrestricted (hotels and taverns) and restricted (restaurant, small bar, tavern restricted, hotel restricted) licences in receipt of the appropriate occasional license, can sell up to one bottle of wine and a six pack of beer or equivalent with each order for a takeaway or delivered meal.

Venues who already have applied for and received an Occasional Licence under the COVID-19 State of Emergency Declaration (such as restaurants, restricted taverns and small bars) do not need to apply again to have the ability to trade on Good Friday.

For unrestricted licences the process will require the completion of a free application form, which you can download directly here.

You then need to email the form directly to DRGL at this email address - occasionals@dlgsc.wa.gov.au

It is critical that you do not lodge this form using the DRGL portal. Emailing the form will ensure that the Department has the best opportunity to process all applications in time. No fee or other information will be required.

For more information on the Occasional Licence, please click here.

For any other queries regarding this or other liquor licencing matters, please contact Mike Andrew at membership@ahawa.asn.au

Take-away alcohol restrictions

**UPDATE 27 March - an amended section 31 notice will be published in the Government Gazette which clarifies the restrictions relating to the sale of packaged liquor** Click here to view the amendment

The State Government advised on Wednesday 25 March that effective at 10 am NEW liquor restrictions come into effect today as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These changes have been brought about following the Government's move to declare a State of Emergency.

As a result, these new measures will apply to all liquor outlets throughout Western Australia.

Under the new restrictions from 10 am, Wednesday 25 March, every packaged liquor outlet will be subjected to the following quantities for sale per customer per day:

i. 11.25 litres (one carton) of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits; or
ii. 2.25 litres (3 bottles) of wine; or
iii. 1 litre of spirits; or
iv. 1 litre of fortified wine; or
a combination of any two of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above but not a combination of two of the same product.

*Failure to comply with these conditions may result in penalties*

You will need to put in place appropriate staffing levels and the attached relevant notices are in full view upon entry and at the point of sale, notifying customers of the changes.

Practise safe hygiene practices and where appropriate display signage urging customers to exit the store if they display any cold and/or flu symptoms.

The Director Liquor Licensing's Directions can be found by clicking here.

Download Takeaway Restriction Signage for Venues.

Sale of alcohol with takeaway meals for restricted licences

The State Government has today moved to allow existing licensed venues to sell limited quantities of alcohol with a takeaway or delivered meals.

Licensees with permanent licences of the following types will be able to apply for a Special Occasional Permit:

Restaurant Licence
Small Bar
Tavern Restricted
Hotel Restricted
Club Restricted
Special Facility Caterer

These businesses can apply for a six-month occasional liquor licence (free of charge) that will allow for the sale of a maximum of one bottle of wine and a six-pack of beer or cider or pre-mixed spirits with a takeaway or delivered meal order.

The permitted hours for take-away and home delivery liquor with a meal sales will be between 12 noon and 12 midnight.

The sale of liquor can only occur between the purchaser and the licensee (i.e. not a third party on behalf of the purchaser) – this would prevent platforms such as UberEats being able to facilitate such sales of liquor.

A simplified application form for occasional liquor licence, which will be fast tracked on receipt, is available here. The application fee will also be waived.

For further enquiries about obtaining an occasional licence, please call 6551 4904 or email occasionals@dlgsc.wa.gov.au

Restrictions Now in Force

As of midday Monday 23 March 2020, the following facilities are restricted from opening:

Pubs, registered and licensed clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation)
Gyms and indoor sporting venues
Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
Religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies).

This afternoon, WA Commissioner Chris Dawson issued Closure of Certain Places of Business, Worship and Entertainment Directions. You can read the Directions here.

There are a number of technical issues that we are currently consulting with the State Government on to ensure that as many of our members can offer takeaway food and beverage where allowed.

THE DIRECTIONS

Every owner, occupier or person apparently in charge of an affected place must close that place to the public for a period commencing at 12 noon on 23 March 2020 and ending at midnight on 13 April 2020.

DEFINITION OF AFFECTED PLACE

Affected place means any one of the following, whether operated on a profit or not-for profit basis:

a business characterised as a pub, bar or club that supplies alcohol under a licence granted under the Liquor Control Act 1988 (WA), but not including any part of the business constituted by a bottleshop;
a hotel, whether licensed or unlicensed, but not:
- to the extent that it provides accommodation, takeaway meals or drinks or a meal delivery service; or
- any part of the hotel constituted by a bottleshop;
a gym;
an indoor sporting centre;
a casino;
a cinema or nightclub;
an entertainment venue of any other kind;
a restaurant or cafe, other than to the extent that it provides takeaway meals or drinks or a meal delivery service;
a place of worship, other than for the purposes of a wedding or funeral.

DEFINITION OF BOTTLESHOP

Bottleshop means an area physically attached or adjacent to the premises of a business characterised as a pub, bar or club referred to in paragraph 4(a), or a hotel referred to in paragraph 4(b), that is for the sale of packaged alcohol to be consumed off the premises of the pub, bar, club or hotel.

We have received verbal advice from the Director of Liquor Licensing that where a venue such as a country pub has a license to sell takeaway alcohol but no physical bottleshop or drive-through, they can still continue to sell takeaway over a counter as would have ordinarily occurred. No drinking or on-premise consumption is to occur.

PENALTIES

It is an offence to fail to comply with any of these directions, punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 or individuals and $250,000 for bodies corporate.

Restrictions on accommodation hotels

Accommodation hotels may continue to operate for the purposes of selling food or beverages for persons to consume off the premises.

You can therefore continue to open the hotel and serve take away to patrons from within the venue, however no consumption of food or beverages on the venue is permitted under any circumstances.

Social distancing measures along with the 100 person capacity (including the one person per four square metre rule) must also continue to be adhered to. No other services (e.g. gaming) are permitted to be provided. We are however seeking clarification on the use of ATM facilities within the venue.

If the premises are part of hotel or motel accommodation, food or beverage may be served to persons using that accommodation to consume in their rooms.

Closure of Certain Places of Business, Worship and Entertainment Direction - Signed 1150, 23 March 2020

Christopher Dawson, Commissioner of Police and State Emergency Coordinator, gives the following directions, pursuant to his powers as a police officer under section 71 of the Act in relation to the closure of certain places of business, worsip and entertainment direction.

Closure taking effect midday Monday 23 March

On Sunday 22 March the National Cabinet met and the Prime Minister has made a number of announcements.

The following information is our best advice at this point in time but details are fluid and subject to change.

The Prime Minister announced that as of midday Monday 23 March 2020, any attendance on-premise at hotels, pubs, taverns, bars, restaurants, cafes and any other hospitality venues will be prohibited.

The Prime Minister's statement can be read by clicking here.

The only exemptions will be for accommodation hotels and limited to them providing food and beverage for in-house guests only.

For those licensed premises with a license that allows for takeaway alcohol, restricted arrangements will come into effect tomorrow. Details of these restrictions have not yet been announced.

Take away and home delivery of food is still allowed.

In plain terms, ALL licensed indoor and outdoor areas are to be closed as of midday, Monday 23 March 2020. This has been confirmed by both the Prime Minster and the WA Premier.

We are working closely with Tourism, Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia on the restrictions that will apply for takeaway and drive through facilities and will provide advice as soon as it becomes available.

We understand that this has radical implications for your businesses. Primary focus needs to be on the issues surrounding your workforce.

1 Person per 4sqm

BOTTLESHOPS AND TAKEAWAYS

Members who have licences that allow for takeaway alcohol provisions should note that the only restrictions are the 1 in 4 square metre restrictions and 1.5 metre social distancing requirement for patrons

Social Distancing graphic – 1 person per 4sqm

WA Hard Border & Travel Restrictions

All non-essential travel into WA will be banned under plans by the State Government for a “hard border” guarded by police and soldiers.

Mark McGowan said he would discuss with National Cabinet a way to “completely shut down our borders from the rest of the country”.

Talks are under way with resources and mining giants about the impact on their FIFO workforce, with BHP offering business critical interstate-based employees the opportunity to temporarily relocate to WA with their families.

The Premier said with 311 cases of COVID-19, WA had one of the lowest rates of spread in the country and “it appears we are positioning ourselves better than our eastern states counterparts”.

While details of the hard border had yet to be confirmed, it would go a step further than the current requirement that new arrivals into WA self-isolate for 14 days.

“I’m considering a hard border closure. This will mean only Western Australians will be allowed into our state. The only exemptions will be essential purposes, which includes things like freight, medical, essential work purposes or compassionate grounds,” Mr McGowan said.

“I have a clear message to people over east: if you're not a Western Australian and you want to come to WA, don't come. We don't want you. Stay at home.
“Western Australians who are still over east, if you want to come home, come hme now.”

The Premier said he needed to do something to stop “people from the more infected ostates coming and infecting Western Australians”.

WA'S BORDER MEASURES

Effective from 1.30 pm on Tuesday 24 March, new border controls will come into effect and apply to all roads, rail, air and sea routes into WA.
There will be limited exemptions for essential services and workers.
The Premier also said he was also investigating if some hotels could be acquired to use for self-isolation zones.
Unless exempted, arrivals from interstate will be ordered to self-isolate for 14 days.
The new measures will be enacted through a formal declaration under the Emergency Management Act.
The State Government was also actively considering turning Rottnest Island into a quarantine zone.

The Premier’s statement can be read here.

LEVEL 4 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS - DO NOT TRAVEL

The National Security Committee of Cabinet has raised the advice for all overseas travel to the highest level. Our advice to all Australians - regardless of your destination, age or health - is do not travel overseas at this time.

This is our highest travel advice setting – Level 4 of 4.

INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS TO AUSTRALIA

The Australian Government has made it mandatory for all inbound international travellers to self-isolate for 14 days, effective as Monday March 16.

Self-isolation applies to everyone, citizens and visitors alike, who step off any international flight.

As part of the measure, cruise ships from international ports have also be banned.

Health and Safety Protocols

Click here for information regarding Coronavirus and Food Safety.

Health and Preventative Advice from the World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been working with Chinese authorities and global experts to learn more about the virus, how it affects people, how they can be treated, and what countries can do to respond.

Because this virus usually causes respiratory illness, WHO has advice to people on how to protect themselves and those around them from getting the disease.

WHO’s recommendations for the general public are as follows, which include hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices:

Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;
When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider;
When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals;
The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

Click here to preview and print WHO's health signage to display in staff back of house areas.

For more information, read the latest transcripts and media releases from our Chief Medical Officer and our Deputy Chief Medical Officer about coronavirus (COVID-19) here.

Fact Sheets and FAQ's

As of 12 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that COVID-19 is a pandemic.

The Australian Government's Department of Health has issued updated fact sheets for hotels, guest and hotel staff. Hotel management should provide information and brief all employees and contract staff, including domestic and cleaning staff, on relevant information and procedures to prevent the spread of 2019-nCoV to people in the hotel setting.

FACT SHEET FOR HOTELS AND STAFF

This information has been provided by the Australian Government's Department of Health and informs hotel management and staff about coronavirus.

Fact sheet for hotel guests

This information has been provided by the Australian Government's Department of Health and informs hotel guests about coronavirus (COVID-19).

FACT SHEET FOR ISOLATION GUIDANCE

This information has been provided by the Australian Government's Department of Health and provides guidance on isolation and coronavirus (COVID-19).

COVID-19 self-declaration forms

Click below to download a copy of the self-declartion forms provided by the AHA(WA). These documents have been provided to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The Department of Health have provided a dedicated phone number for WA venues to call if you require more information. Please call (08) 9328 0553 or for contact details for your local public health unit, please click here.

Chief Medical Officer Advice to Hotels

Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy has provided advice to Hotels regarding the virus and how it should be managed. Click here to see.

Novel Coronarirus and Food Safety

With many WA venues now providing delivery and takeaway food services, it is vital that businesses be extra vigilant with all aspects of health and hygiene, to ensure no-one contaminates the surfaces in your food service or processing environment because of illness or unclean habits.

Hospitality businesses that are able to pivot their restaurants, cafes or catering businesses into a ‘take-away’ option or offer ‘ready-to-eat’ meals (like pre-packaged meals or frozen meals) need to ensure that they are following best practice.

Please click here to access a handy guide that will help venues adhere to best practice when it comes to providing takeaway or ready to eat meals.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) have also provided comprehensive information on food safety as it relates to COVID-19 and we encourage you to review their website.

Good hygienic manufacturing practices and thorough cooking for cooked products will minimise the risk of transmission and meet food safety requirements.

The FSANZ website contains important information that you should be aware of including:

General food safety advice for everyone
Advice for food businesses
How do I prevent people in my business transmitting the virus?
How can I properly clean and sanitise my equipment and facilities?
What if someone on my business premises is unwell?
Can the virus be transmitted through food?

To access the FSANZ website, please click here.

Global Update - COVID-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that COVID-19 is a pandemic

Across the world there have been more than 1,300,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 74,800 deaths.

Find out how COVID-19 is affecting other countries on the World Health Organisation (WHO) website. View the:

Higher risk

The Australian Government considers the following countries to be at higher risk for COVID-19:

Mainland China
Iran
Italy
Republic of Korea

This advice should be read in conjunction with the ‘What you need to know’ and ‘Isolation guidance’ information sheets.

Australia Update - COVID-19

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia continues to rise

As at 3:00pm on 7 April 2020, there have been 5,908 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia. There have been 113 new cases since 3:00pm yesterday.

97 in the Australian Capital Territory
2,686 in New South Wales
27 in the Northern Territory
934 in Queensland
415 in South Australia
88 in Tasmania
1,191 in Victoria
470 in Western Australia

*Note that under National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System reporting requirements, cases are reported based on their Australian jurisdiction of residence rather than where they were detected. For example, a case reported previously in the NT in a NSW resident is counted in the national figures as a NSW case.

Of the 5,908 confirmed cases in Australia, 45 have died from COVID-19. More than 310,000 tests have been conducted across Australia.

To date, most confirmed cases are considered to have been acquired overseas although a large proportion are still under investigation to understand the source of infection. The majority of Australian confirmed cases acquired overseas had a recent history of travel to Europe or the Americas, predominately the United States of America.

Confirmed cases are seen across all age groups, with fewer cases reported in children and people over 70 years of age.

Reference Points

Australian Government Department of Health - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources avilable here.

Factsheets from the Australian Department of Health can be downloaded on their website.

The World Health Organization (WHO) produces daily Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) situation reports. For details see here.

Updated WHO advice for international travel in relation to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus see here.

The Prime Minister has announced the activation of the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

For more information, read the latest transcripts and media releases from our Chief Medical Officer and our Deputy Chief Medical Officer about coronavirus (COVID-19) in our news section.