Victorian Pub Pledges To Welcome Unvaccinated Patrons When Lockdown Ends

A pub in Victoria has divided opinion over its decision to welcome customers who haven't been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The owners of the Grand Hotel Healesville's Facebook page made a post this week indicating they won't be banning people who haven't yet copped the jab.

It said: "Jab or no jab, everyone is welcome at the Grand Hotel Healesville."

Hospitality venues will be under intense pressure as Victoria and other states come out of lockdown restrictions.

With patrons pouring into these establishments every night, owners will have to enforce mandatory QR check-ins to ensure authorities can continue to do contact tracing. It will be up to each place to determine their vaccination policy.

It's clear the Grand Hotel Healesville is keen to see as many publicans as possible when their doors reopen.

People have been divided on the pub's stance, with one person writing as a reply: "It's such a delight to see not all are discriminating those who chose not to have a jab. I'll absolutely be there to support your amazing business."

However, another user hit back with: "As a healthcare worker of 22 years+ working in the closest emergency and intensive care units to The Grand this post is disappointing. I will not dine or drink in a business that actively promotes non vaccination...and I will encourage my family and friends to do the same."

After their original post went viral on Facebook, the pub owners followed it up with another message.

"We just want to let you all know that we are not anti-vaxxers or non-covid believers. We believe in people making the right choice for them and we will not discriminate those, for whatever reason, who choose not to get the jab," they said.

PA

"The post was simply to say that when we finally are able to open up, we won't discriminate against anyone.

"If, however, the law changes and it becomes mandatory to enter a business with a passport!, then we will have no choice and will abide by the law."

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has warned unvaccinated people could be 'locked out' of venues like pubs and restaurants.

He's aiming to be able to open up the state when it has between 70 to 80 per cent of the population over 16 fully vaccinated.

Mr Andrews said: "What will become a bigger part of our response is a lockout of many venues for those who are not vaccinated.

"I am not going to lock the whole state down to protect people who would not protect themselves.

"If you are not vaccinated ... the chances of you booking a ticket at a sporting event, going to a pub will be very limited."

Topics: Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie