Chain won’t reopen until unvaxxed can go

On Monday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a three-stage reopening plan for NSW, depending on different vaccination milestones with restrictions remaining in place for the unvaccinated until the state is likely to hit a 90 per vax rate in December.Mr Ykmour, who has 23 stores and franchises in NSW, said the decision to exclude the unvaccinated “didn’t feel right” to him.“It’s something I pride myself in business, that it’s an inclusive business, and it goes completely against what we stand for,” he told news.com.au. “We welcome everyone and to stand and ask everyone if they are vaccinated and to show me your vaccine passport – that's not something I want and it’s not a culture I want to encourage anyway. “We stand to lose over $10 million in sales over those seven weeks but I think the long term decision makes sense to be inclusive and to help unite our country as opposed to divide our country.”At 70 and 80 per cent of the eligible NSW population vaccinated, only the double vaxxed will be able to enjoy new freedoms such as going to hospitality venues, having visitors at home and attending events.But restrictions for the unvaccinated will ease from December 1.The 46-year-old said he also decided to keep stores closed because he didn’t want his 2000 “young staff” to be exposed to potentially ugly conflict by having to enforce the vaccination rules.“The community is at breaking point and it doesn’t take much to tip someone over the edge,” he added.Since announcing his decision on social media, Mr Ykmour said he had received an “unbelievable” supportive response.“It has been overwhelming. People are saying they won’t come out and dine until you’re ready to open and the space is open for everyone and that is 99.9 per cent of people,” he revealed. “At the end of the day Aussies want to unite and ... in the bigger scheme of things they all add up in the business world and add up in our country. “It’s a costly decision at the moment but I think long term I want my kids to be proud that their dad stood up for unity as opposed to running for the dollar.”Mr Ykmour said his restaurant chain would remain open for takeaway and delivery during the transition period until December 1 before reopening for indoor dining, while continuing to offer those services afterwards too.He is hoping the government will “see sense” and allow hospitality to open to the unvaccinated before December 1 but if not he is planning to throw a huge party, which will include special shirts and hats made, as well as balloons and whistles. Prior to the Premier revealing the NSW roadmap out of lockdown, a number of businesses had declared they would welcome all customers, whether they were vaccinated or not.One of Sydney’s most popular harbour restaurants Aria has already faced heated backlash following its announcement that only fully vaccinated customers would be allowed to dine there once the state reached its 70 per cent vaccination target.The issue has divided people on businesses social media pages with some claiming welcoming the unvaccinated is “crazy thinking”, while others have congratulated owners for “being on the right side of history”.NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro defended the decision to give unvaccinated people freedoms from December on Sunrise and said there was still plenty of pressure to get vaccinated.“The reality is, in two weeks time vaccinated people will begin having a range of freedoms that the unvaccinated won’t and it won’t be another two months before the unvaccinated people have a level of freedom,” he said on the program.“I don’t know if people can hold off another two months not having any freedoms.”Retail billionaire Solomon Lew recently called for a ban on the unvaccinated in the nation’s shopping centres when lockdowns end and strict temperature checks for all shoppers on entry.The man behind Premier Investments, which owns some of the nation‘s best known brands including Smiggle, Dotti, Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Portmans, Peter Alexander and Jacqui E, has warned parents will want that peace of mind before they return to malls with their kids.He’s said any failure to do so could make families reluctant to hit the shops for Christmas shopping if they feared catching Covid-19, especially with younger, unvaccinated children.Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce also announced that the Australian airline will mandate Covid-19 vaccinations for all passengers flying overseas, as the country gears up to reopen some international routes by Christmas. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au