Refund not available due to the president's announcement

I booked accommodation on the 10th November 2020 - whilst we were under level 1 lockdown. I understood well the cancellation policy that I could cancel for free until the 2nd December. I had no intentions of cancelling up until the president's announcement on the 28th December 2020 that level 3 would start on the 29th December until the 15th January 2021. I called the venue and spoke to the owner to explain that the event was cancelled due to the president's announcement. She told she understands and I would get a full refund. On the 30th December she tells me she has staff to pay she won't give me my money back.