Pubs, clubs and restaurants will be allowed to seat up to 50 patrons from June 1, as part of the next step in relaxing the state's COVID-19 restrictions.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the move was an “important, critical, big step”, but it would only be done with strict social distancing measures in place.
Venues will be required to ensure patrons are seated before they are served and distanced in line with a four-square-metre requirement.
It comes one week after cafes and restaurants were allowed to reopen with 10 patrons, providing they served food. However, many venues decided against reopening because the 10-patron limit was not financially viable.
Ms Berejiklian announced the measure at the popular dining strip of Stanley Street in Darlinghurst on Friday.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the announcement meant NSW was now leading the nation in terms of reopening the economy.
"There are about 280,000 people employed in this sector of the economy and allowing venues to safely cater for more customers will provide another boost to business and jobs," Mr Perrottet said.
He said the government’s decision to lift the limit to 50 patrons would help save thousands more jobs than if the next limit had been set at 20 patrons.
Sydney pubs, like the Unity Hall Hotel in Balmain, have been shut since the federal government closed all non-essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit:Getty Images
Under the new restrictions, venues will not be permitted to take group bookings above 10 people.
The government agreed to take the step after negotiating with the Australian Hotels Association and ClubsNSW.
Clubs and RSLs that have multiple restaurants, cafes or bars on site will be able to seat 50 patrons at each venue, proving they have the space to comply with social distancing measures.
More to come.
Lisa Visentin is a state political reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.
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2020-05-22 03:30:19Z
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