Amusement parks in Australia have been taken for a ride during the coronavirus pandemic, though it’s been one filled with more spills than thrills.
ABC News has reported on a family that’s been in the amusement business for 96 years and has now seen its longest period of business inactivity since the Second World War. What’s more is that their insurance is not likely to cover the business in the future if they cancel their coverage now.
In a typical year, Elwin Bell’s family business, Bells Amusements, attends 50 agricultural shows across the country. This year, the COVID-19 outbreak has cancelled every single outing.
However, Bell has since taken matters into his own hands, putting on his own carnival at the Queanbeyan Showground that’s been capped at 500 people in line with COVID-safe rules.
“I just wanted to bring a bit more fun back to the community, put some smiles on their dials and let them know the showies are still about,” he told ABC News. “We’ve fallen through every crack, so a lot of people have forgotten that we’re still here.”
Agricultural shows inject $1 billion into the Australian economy every year, and the government has committed $56 million over two years to help shows that have had to cancel due to the pandemic. The size of cash grants is dependent on each show’s attendance, with those that had more than 5,000 people getting up to $70,000.
Nonetheless, Bell said the grants did not include businesses like his since none of the grants are open to the showmen who provide the entertainment at the shows. Bell and his family did get some help from the JobKeeper payments, which have been the main source of income for the family during the pandemic.
However, most of the Bells’ JobKeeper payment goes towards a $6,000 monthly insurance bill as well as maintenance on their rides.
Bell added that when he called to cancel his insurance while shows were on hold, he was cautioned that he might not be able to get it back.
“I couldn’t operate again without it so I’m just paying in hopes we can return to shows soon,” he said.
The next few months will continue to hold uncertainty around the scale of restrictions and the dispersal of further grants, leaving the Bells in financial limbo. As with many businesses active in the events space, they are waiting for the government to reveal more information on whether restrictions will be eased for the new year.
