'Unbelievable' footage emerges of crowded dance floor at Brisbane nightclub
Shocking video has emerged of patrons flouting coronavirus rules on a packed dance floor at a Brisbane nightclub.
The footage shows people crammed together and jumping alongside each other to the beat of the music over the weekend.
Queensland’s hospitality industry is now concerned the footage of people shoulder-to-shoulder could spark backlash from the government.
Channel Nine’s Today show aired footage from at least two Brisbane nightclubs, with Queensland Police and the Officer of Liquor and Gaming Regulation looking into the videos.
Host Karl Stefanovic described the footage as “unbelievable”.
The state reopened bars and clubs on Friday, but patrons were restricted from dancing and were to abide by social-distancing rules.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said over the weekend police were investigating a club to determine if the licensee had breached COVID-19 restrictions.
Nightclubs AND their guests could be hit with hefty fines after footage emerged of party-goers flouting social distancing rules. #9Today pic.twitter.com/q3wX4dnw7V
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) July 5, 2020
‘Appalled and outraged’
Fortitude Valley Safe Night Precinct president Jason Hirt said all Valley licensees knew dance floors were off-limits to patrons.
Valley licensees and stakeholders are meeting with police and government officials on Wednesday.
"There were messages among the owners yesterday (Saturday), all appalled and outraged, regarding it," Mr Hirt told AAP.
"We are all playing by the rules and getting it right, so we are very disappointed.
"Everyone is aware the dance floor is off-limits and we're hoping it doesn't affect anyone else."
Queensland Hotels Association CEO Bernie Hogan was quick to distance his organisation from the nightclub precinct, saying none of his members were located in the Valley.
"Hotels and clubs are desperate to keep operating so the actions of one or two should not impact the rest of the hospitality industry," he told AAP.
"It's clear that dance floors are not to function at the present time."
Ms Palaszczuk said that from the reports she had received the majority of licensees abided by the rules.
"It is unfortunate that some did breach those rules so that's a matter for police," she told reporters.
"If they have breached those COVID safe plans there could be fines imposed."
Just last week a bar in Roma was fined $6672 after plain-clothes police pointed out several breaches, including failure to collect contact details.
Queensland again recorded no new cases on Sunday with just one active case throughout the state.
– with Yahoo News Staff
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
