The hospitality industry has been feeling the pinch of the 25% capacity restrictions due to the current COVID-19 situation in South Australia.

Mount Gambier’s Jens Hotel manager Aaron Davis said the many expenses of running the hotel remained the same despite restrictions, which had severely impacted the venue’s income.

Mr Davis said they make money three days a week, with mixed results the other four days.

Mr Davis said the main street hotel typically served around 2000 meals a week and they were currently serving approximately 1200, but there was more money to be made from drinks than food.

“Our drinks are down probably 80%,” he said.

Mr Davis said he had closed the bistro bar because it was easier to serve from one area due to less staff on shifts, with the hotel currently running on 50% staff.

Ms Davis believed the hospitality industry had been treated unfairly throughout the pandemic and hoped capacity restrictions would be lifted to at least 50% in coming weeks.

He said if current restrictions continued for another two weeks he would need to cut the roster back further.

“Fifty percent is where we sort of need to be at, or there will be a lot of people shutting down everywhere, there’s already pubs shutting down everywhere up in Adelaide,” Mr Davis said.

“It’s un-operational at the moment.”

He also hoped for good weather, as the hotel can serve 70 to 80 people if outdoor seating was available.

“We need the sun to stay outside, if there’s no sun we’re in a lot of trouble on weekends,” he said.

“If it rains, we will not be able to have anyone here.”

Mr Davis said other restrictions impacting the business included mandatory outdoor seating, no singing and dancing and mask mandates.

“We all think we should still wear them, but obviously a lot of people just do not want to wear them, that’s a big problem,” he said.

Mr Davis said the hotel was maintaining rigorous cleaning and hygiene practices, including constantly cleaning door handles, cleaning gaming rooms and strict hand sanitising and mask wearing for staff.

Mr Davis encouraged people to support their local cafes and hotels by purchasing dinner and a drink and to enjoy meals outside if they did not feel comfortable sitting inside.

“They’re very safe, all the staff and all the hotels and places are doing the right things in Mount Gambier,” he said.