IN FOCUS // COVID requirements
Keeping up with COVID Here’s what you need to know about COVID Safe trading, restrictions and penalties.
ALTHOUGH MANY STATES and territories
the restrictions were extended to all venues,
each other. Patrons must be seated. While
have successfully reopened, the evolving
including restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs and
businesses may need to update their plans
situation in Victoria and New South Wales
clubs. Hospitality operators are now required
as advice changes, they do not need to re-
has revealed the importance of COVID
to limit group bookings to a maximum of 10
register each time.
Safe plans.
people; implement COVID Safe plans and
Victoria has been the hardest hit by a
The new rules apply across the entire state,
register as a COVID Safe business and create
including regional and rural areas, and will be
second wave of COVID-19, with stage four
a digital record (Excel or Word; QR codes
strictly enforced. Venues who fail to comply
restrictions back in place until 13 September.
strongly encouraged) of patron details within
with the measures will face a penalty of up
However, NSW has had recent outbreaks
24 hours including names and phone numbers.
to $55,000 as well as a further $27,500 for
linked to venues in Sydney. At the time of
Businesses are expected to ensure all
each day the offences continue. Liquor and
publishing, 58 cases have been linked to the
guests provide accurate contact details and
Gaming NSW also have the power to issue on
Crossroads Hotel in Casula and more than
must have a dedicated COVID Safe Hygiene
the spot fines of $5,500. A second offence
103 to Thai Rock in Wetherill Park, plus one
Marshall in distinctive clothing to oversee
will see businesses closed for a week, while a
case to the business’ Potts Point outlet. Across
social distancing, cleaning and hygiene.
third offence will see venues shut down for up
the state, directions to self-isolate have
Contact tracing has proved crucial in
to one month.
been issued to people who have attended a
breaking the chain of transmission from the
number of venues, including the Batemans Bay
Crossroads Hotel and Thai Rock outbreaks — a
Sheaf in Double Bay and The Star, have been
Soldiers Club and Albion Park McDonald’s.
fact operators all over the country should bear
slapped with $5,500 fines, while the Garry
More venues have been forced to close for
in mind, regardless of specific restrictions in
Owen Hotel in Rozelle copped a double fine
deep cleaning.
their jurisdictions.
totalling $10,000. ■
In response, the NSW government began
Venues must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan
So far, several venues, including the Golden
Stay up to date on the latest restrictions
enforcing tougher rules for pubs from
for each food and drink area, with staff and
across all states and territories at
12.01am on 17 July. A week later, on 24 July,
customers from each area kept separate from
www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au
6 | Hospitality
