Restaurant and pub owners are urging some customers that COVID restrictions on entering are made  are not decisions made by the businesses themselves.

Current restrictions require masks to be worn in all indoor public venues, with proof of vaccination required at nightclubs, pubs, taverns, hotels with a capacity of more than 500 people or these specific licensed venues that trade after midnight.

The CEO of Restaurant and Catering Industry Association, Wes Lambert, says the association is receiving messages from members about their experiences.

“Our message to consumers was that businesses don’t have a choice about what laws they follow and what laws they don’t,” he told Jo McManus.

Social media pages of venues have received comments from angry customers, who believe it’s the businesses choice to not let people into their venues.

“Western Australia has put in rules and laws that are as much of a law as liquor laws and food safety laws and development rules – they carry the same weight. Businesses don’t have a choice whether they apply them or not,” Mr Lambert said. “Please consumers don’t give businesses a hard time. They have to comply.”

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