Sapphire Destination Marketing has issued a statement on travellers from Melbourne and the upcoming school holidays.
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"Our advice at this point is for Sapphire Coast Tourism operators to consider reviewing the Melbourne hotspot info and the postcodes of their bookings," Anthony Osborne of Sapphire Coast Destination Marketing said.
"Following up on the NSW Premier's comments yesterday...backing accommodation owners and operators taking it upon themselves to bar Melbourne travellers... I would like to advise we are seeking some clarity around a number of the points made," Mr Osborne said.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged against travel to Melbourne, particularly its six current COVID-19 hotspots - the local government areas of Hume, Casey, Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia and Darebin.
Residents of those hotspots should not be moving around the community, the Premier said on Tuesday.
"I call on all organisations not to interact with citizens from Melbourne at this stage," Ms Berejiklian told reporters.
I would encourage all operators, to contact all their bookings to re-inforce expectations around COVID19 safe behaviour. It is important to your community that you and your guests follow the prescribed distancing and hygiene practises.
- Anthony Osborne, Sapphire Coast Destination Marketing
In the meantime, and with Victorian holidays commencing in a little over 48 hrs, there are obviously questions remaining.
Mr Osborne said that tourism operators "should remind ourselves of the need to take maximum precautions to protect our community from COVID19".
However he said that everyone should "take comfort in the fact that, it is likely, the majority of our visitors in the coming weeks will not originate from areas anywhere near Melbourne".
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Mr Osborne said there would be significant regional VIC, NSW and ACT visitation, and many areas of greater Melbourne which are not near the noted hotspots.
"We should also be aware that this is a shared issue with the visitor, and in most cases visitors will follow the guidelines in their own states and the well documented COVID19 safe behaviour.
"Should you have visitors coming from the hotspot areas, you should contact them to discuss any concerns, and if required offer a credit or reschedule the booking," Mr Osborne advised.
"Likewise I would encourage all operators, to contact all their bookings to re-inforce expectations around COVID19 safe behaviour. It is important to your community that you and your guests follow the prescribed distancing and hygiene practises."