Covid-19: Fleur's Place to close indefinitely after half of staff refuse vaccine

Thursday, 30 December 2021

Celebrated Moeraki restaurant, Fleur’s Place, has been forced to close indefinitely after 50 per cent of staff refused to get vaccinated, its owner says.

Restaurant owner Fleur Sullivan said it was a shocking turn of events for the restaurant once called the best in the world by British television chef, Rick Stein.

“It is what it is. We won’t be the only ones to be in this position, but it is quite a shock to be here when right since the first lockdown we have been happy with what we have been able to accomplish,” Sullivan said.

More than half of the 14 staff at Fleur’s Place had refused to get vaccinated, she said.

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Restaurant owner, Fleur Sullivan says being forced to close due to staff refusing the vaccine is 'quite an unexpected position to be in”.

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A sign outside popular Moeraki restaurant, Fleur’s Place, tells the public the restaurant has had to close until workers get vaccinated.

Sullivan said a large portion of her staff would usually be sourced from people on international work visas, but due to the pandemic she had a much harder time finding staff.

“We are crossing our fingers and hoping we can find enough staff to reopen. We are in limbo really. This is a very small fishing village, and it is a struggle most of the time to find staff, but now it is just too difficult without international workers,” Sullivan said.

A sign written on the wall outside Fleur’s Place reads, “Sorry we cannot open until anti-vaxers change their minds – get the jab and come to work.”

In December, Fleur’s Place announced a temporary closure to allow staff time to understand the requirements of mandatory vaccination.

Staff member Mariebelle Winters previously told Stuff it was decided not to open the restaurant because some staff members were not vaccinated.

MBIE’s food and drink guidelines say vaccination for all food and drink service workers is required unless the work is solely for takeaway food and drink.