Partygoers heading out to Brisbane’s nightclubs have been slammed for ignoring social distancing rules during the second weekend of eased lockdown restrictions.
Hundreds of eager revellers were spotted shoulder to shoulder in queues waiting to gain entry to clubs in the city’s Fortitude Valley party precinct, according to The Courier Mail.
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Chris Perry labelled the crowds ‘selfish’ and warned revellers they were playing ‘Russian roulette’ with their relative’s lives.
Tightly packed queues were reportedly seen outside The Beat and Prohibition nightclubs, just a week after video allegedly showing packed dancefloors at Prohibition nightclub surfaced.
Tightly packed partygoers line up around the block outside The Beat nightclub in Brisbane after COVID-19 restrictions were eased
A line of revellers stand shoulder-to-shoulder as they wait to get into Prohibition nightclub in Brisbane
Fortitude Valley Safe Night Precinct president Jason Hirt previously said Brisbane venue owners were ‘appalled and outraged’ about patrons and Prohibition allegedly disregarding protocols.
‘We are all playing by the rules and getting it right, so we are very disappointed,’ he said.
‘Everyone is aware the dance floor is off-limits and we’re hoping it doesn’t affect anyone else.’
Dr Perry said nightclubs need to be especially vigilant in enforcing social distancing safety measures.
‘You need to have social distancing everywhere, at the bar and in lines, so you have people standing a metre-and-a-half apart when they’re queuing – or you get closed. It’s very simple.’
The images also drew the attention of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk who said she was ‘disappointed’ to learn partygoers and nightclubs were flouting the rules.
As well as The Beat and Prohibition, large lines were also reportedly seen outside popular venue Ric’s Backyard with patrons spilling out into the Valley Mall.
Partygoers can be seen allegedly dancing shoulder-to-shoulder at Prohibition in the heart of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley on Friday night, the same day pubs and clubs reopened to the public, with dance floors to remain off-limits. Picture: The Today Show
Queensland Police and the Office of Liquor and Gaming conducted 31 spot checks at venues in the Brisbane CBD over the weekend.
‘Efforts were made by staff of licensed venues to have those in queues physically distance, but these were not always successful to achieve sustained changes in patron behaviour,’ a Liquor and Gaming spokeswoman said.
‘OLGR officers engaged with representatives at venues over the weekend regarding queuing issues and will continue to do so during the week ahead.’
The images follow Premier Palaszczuk warning a second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak could happen anywhere – despite Queensland having just three active cases.
She said government departments have, at her request, recently completed planning exercises in anticipation of community transmission outbreaks.
Her revelation comes two days after Queensland reopened its borders on July 10 to each state and territory except Victorians, where COVID-19 is surging again.
The vision comes after industry insiders flagged concerns about the profitability of pubs and clubs in May , stating venues may not fully recover with rules and restrictions in place. Picture: The Today Show
There are more than 1,400 active cases in Victoria where Melbourne suburbs are in lockdown.
‘We know that Victoria is going through a very tough time. I have acknowledged that could happen to anyone, anywhere at any times as well and that is why we need to be ready,’ Ms Palaszczuk said
‘During last week I tasked departments in my government to continually do exercise planning.
‘Just like we do for cyclones and bushfires and floods… we will continue to be prepared for COVID outbreaks.’
Even though there were zero new cases in Queensland on Sunday, Ms Palaszczuk says it’s not because the state has become complacent, with 3700 tests conducted on Saturday.
Police have intercepted more than 32,000 vehicles entering Queensland since July 3 and have turned away 1,542 people.
Queensland’s airports are also teeming with interstate arrivals keen to soak up the sun and warmer weather, with 4,500 expected to touch down over the July 17 weekend.
The Golden Sheaf hotel in Sydney’s Double Bay was also slammed after a picture of tightly packed queues outside the venue went viral last weekend