A country pub has refused to back Victoria's pro-vaccination public health stance, saying it plans to welcome customers back regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not when restrictions ease.
Grand Hotel Healesville, 50km east of Melbourne in the Yarra Valley, issued a social media statement saying 'Jab or no jab everyone is welcome', which went viral.
The post was accompanied by several hashtags indicating that the pub's management see vaccination as a personal choice.
Grand Hotel Healesville, 50km east of Melbourne in the Yarra Valley, issued a social media statement saying 'Jab or no jab everyone is welcome', which went viral
The Grand Hotel's Facebook post attracted around 18,000 comments and likes, more or less equally for and against the hotel's stance
Grant Hotel publican Lisa McKay claimed her doctor told her to not to get vaccinated because of a medical condition, but she claimed she was 'not an anti-vaxxer', the ABC reported.
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'I don't see why we should be separated and not be able to have a beer together,' Ms McKay said.
Full vaccination of 70-80 per cent of Australia's population is the backbone of the nation's strategy to exit the continual lockdowns that have frustrated the entire nation, but especially Victorians.
Victoria endured four lockdowns in 2020 and two in 2021, the latest of which began five weeks ago.
At 70 per cent fully vaccinated some restrictions are expected to ease in Victoria but it is not clear whether that would include hotels being opened.
When restrictions ease in neighbouring New South Wales, likely on October 18, only fully-vaccinated customers will be allowed to go to pubs and restaurants.
Melbourne is expected to remain in lockdown until October when fully-vaccinated citizens will likely be allowed back into hospitality venues, but regional Victoria could exit lockdown sooner.
The post attracted around 18,000 comments and likes, more or less equally for and against the hotel's stance.
Debate accompanying the post was fiery, with many commenters saying people should be allowed freedom to decide whether they get vaccinated or not.
The Grand Hotel's publican Lisa McKay, who is unvaccinated but claimed she is 'not an anti-vaxxer', said 'I don't see why we should be separated and not be able to have a beer together'
Premier Daniel Andrews promised he would begin to roll back minor restrictions when the state was expected to hit the vaccination milestone on September 23 (pictured, exercise time limit will be increased from two to three hours)
An even pro- vs anti-vax split is not representative of the national
