Australia’s hospitality sector slows down

By Samuel Squire

As the COVID-19 pandemic becomes more difficult to deal with, the Australian Federal Government has now enforced all non-essential businesses to close up shop in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.

Wine and hospitality businesses across the country are having to close their doors whilst the spread of the virus remains a very real danger to people.

Among those businesses affected is the hospitality sector and, in South Australia, one of the most iconic wineries in the McLaren Vale, d’Arenberg, has announced in an email that it will be closing some of its venues.

“In line with the expansion of government restrictions to include licensed venues, such as restaurants and cafes, the d’Arenberg Cube, d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant and Polly’s Wine Lounge are closed indefinitely,” the company announced in its email.

“The most important thing at this time is the health and safety of our and staff and the broader community.”

Also hit hard by this new announcement by the Australian Federal Government is Australia’s bars, pubs and clubs, all of which are feeling the effects immediately.

Pubs across Adelaide’s east end, including The Elephant British Pub – a classic stop on many resident’s drinking holes – are closing their doors indefinitely.

In a social media post by the venue, “It is with much sadness that we inform you The Elephant British Pub will be closed for the foreseeable future”.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Elephant, among other licensed venues, has been forced to cease trading until the situation improves nationally.”

In more wine business news, reported by The Financial Review, the owner of one of Australia’s biggest wine brands, Jacob’s Creek, is worried that if governments extend shutdowns to factories and industrial processes in the fight against coronavirus, then a year’s worth of wine production could be lost.

The report states Pernod Ricard Winemakers, the global group that owns the Jacob’s Creek winery in the Barossa Valley in South Australia and also makes the St Hugo brand, said if shutdowns were expanded then the 2020 vintage could be put in jeopardy.

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