Key Points
- A Greek business owner in Darwin argues some COVID safety requirements are not attuned to small business realities
- The souvlaki shop was ordered closed and fined $25,000 over non-compliance with CHO directions
- Locals are divided over the venue’s mask policy
But according to Michael Tolios, who runs the business with wife Violet, COVID-safety officers who inspected the venue before giving the green light to reopening, conceded their approach to mask-wearing for staff was justified.
"The venue is really small, around 60 square metres and on a busy night we’ve got 7 to 8 staff working at the same time. We use charcoal, so it’s an environment where conditions make it unsafe to wear a mask. I can’t push my employees to do so,” he tells SBS Greek.
Mr Tolios says they have now secured an exemption for their workforce from mandatory mask-wearing in the event the measure is reinstated at the NT capital.
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‘Δεν σκέφτονται τη θέση μας’: Έλληνας επιχειρηματίας στο Darwin μετά από $25.000 πρόστιμο για τις μάσκες
SBS Greek
23/07/202105:26
The mask rule was in effect back on July 6, when police attended the venue to serve the business a closure notice following “multiple failures to comply with the Chief Health Officer Directions.”
Incident Controller Sachin Sharma said in a statement that they also observed a number of customers not wearing masks.
“Shutting down a locally-owned small business is the very last thing any of us wanted to do at this time. Unfortunately we’ve seen that not all members of the community are willing to take on a short-term inconvenience for everyone’s long-term safety. We all have a responsibility in this pandemic,” an excerpt reads.
Asked about the incident, Mr Tolios cites the venue’s “no mask, we don’t ask” policy towards customers attending without masks, that assumes they have been exempt.
“I know how it can be [for customers]. I have an exemption myself, and I’ve had times when someone would tell me they don’t believe I’m exempt and would ask me about my condition. But this is personal, between me and my doctor.”
The local community appeared polarised over the “no mask, we don’t ask” approach, with a post on the business’ Facebook page garnering hundreds of comments both from supporters and people who condemn the move.
Mr Tolios says he has “no objection to the COVID-safety plan” but believes authorities “don’t take into consideration the position they put business owners in”.
“I’m all for having the QR code [check-in system for contact tracing] and displaying the “you have to wear a mask” signage. But don’t ask me to stand in front of the entrance and check every single person coming in. I’ve got over 1,500 people visiting the shop every week. I can’t do that, I’m not a security guard.”
The eatery was handed a $25,000 fine and resumed trading two days later after compliance officers were satisfied the CHO Directions would be met.
The lockdown in Greater Darwin & Alice Springs was lifted on 2 July, with a further easing of restrictions having taken place on 9 July.
