venues have received welcome news from Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who has outlined the roadmap to recovery for the New South Wales hospitality industry.
While operators were aware they would be able to reopen for dine-in when 70 per cent of the population was fully vaccinated, Premier Berejiklian has confirmed restrictions will ease two more times before the end of the year.
“I know people are counting down the minutes until we reach 70 per cent double dose and the freedoms that will provide, and today we are providing further certainty by announcing the 80 per cent roadmap and future settings,” said Premier Berejiklian.
The Monday after the state hits 80 per cent (16 and over), all premises will be permitted to operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors.
Patrons will be allowed to eat and drink while standing outdoors, with unvaccinated people only able to access takeaway services.
Hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask while indoors and outdoors.
From 1 December, restrictions will ease again and see venues move to the 1 person per 2sqm rule, with group bookings limited to 20 people.
Patrons will be able to stand while eating and drinking indoors.
Nightclubs will also be able to open and unvaccinated people will have “greater freedoms”.
Businesses can now look forward to a clearer and more positive end to the year.
Premier Berejiklian said Covid Safe procedures for venues are very much in line with previous requirements.
The primary addition is the confirmation of a customer’s vaccine status, with patrons required to display their vaccination document to be granted entry into a venue while the mandate is in place.
Image credit: The Rocks