'What now?' Companies want answers as Queensland reaches 90% double vaccination rate
Queensland is set to reach its 90% double vaccination milestone but local employers want to know “what it means for them” and the rules that would be put in place after hitting the highly-anticipated mark.
The state has been hitting its target ahead of schedule. In December, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the state hit its 80% target earlier than expected, an event that triggered fewer border restrictions towards the end of 2021.
In its media release, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) has spoken about how businesses were “desperate to know” what the state’s next vaccine milestone meant for their long-term recovery,” as CCIQ’s data reported “a critical constraint” on businesses’ ability to keep their regular operational hours or service delivery.
“We heard in November new vaccine in the workplace rules for hospitality and entertainment businesses would be reviewed when the state hit 90% double vaccinated,” CCIQ’s Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan said in a media release.
Rohan said discussing state policies was “especially important” since the availability of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), financial support for businesses forced to close, and an expanded list of essential industries should be under review.
The CCIQ reported that Queensland is “a small business state,” stating that more than 97% of all their businesses are sole traders or employing less than 20 employees.
“It’s time for those businesses to be afforded some certainty as to what the next stage of their long-term recovery looks like and what the vaccine milestone means for them, their staff and their customers,” Rohan said.
“It’s not fair for businesses to be the last to know about rule changes which impact them,” Rohan added.
