The Accommodation Association has welcomed the Federal Government’s temporary COVID disaster payment but calls for the government to loosen the eligibility criteria so that all workers severely impacted by lockdowns are supported.
The eligibility requirements for the financial support weekly payment currently stipulate that you must be in a declared Commonwealth hotspot and that the lockdown has lasted for more than a week. Right now, that means with the Victorian lockdown only people in Greater Melbourne qualify for the support, with workers in the rest of the state, who are also impacted by the lockdown, ineligible.
The Accommodation Association alongside other industry bodies continues to engage with State and Federal Government to bring about a proportionate business support package for the Sector.
“We welcome the announcement of the emergency funding for our teams that have been stood down due to the outbreak and subsequent lock down,” said Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long.
“These are important payments to hospitality, accommodation and hotel workers who have borne the brunt of the health response but, while this is a support for Greater Melbourne, it does exclude workers in regional Victoria who will continue to be highly impacted by the travel restrictions. These workers are just as vulnerable and deserving of support and we ask the Federal Government to consider widening the net to help them as well.”
