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 have successfully reopened, the evolving situation in Victoria and New South Wales has revealed the importance of COVID Safe plans.

Victoria has been the hardest hit by a second wave of COVID-19, with stage four restrictions back in place until 13 September. However, NSW has had recent outbreaks linked to venues in Sydney. At the time of publishing, 58 cases have been linked to the Crossroads Hotel in Casula and more than 103 to Thai Rock in Wetherill Park, plus one case to the business’ Potts Point outlet. Across the state, directions to self-isolate have been issued to people who have attended a number of venues, including the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club and Albion Park McDonald’s. More venues have been forced to close for deep cleaning.

In response, the NSW government began enforcing tougher rules for pubs from 12.01am on 17 July. A week later, on 24 July, the restrictions were extended to all venues, including restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs and clubs. Hospitality operators are now required to limit group bookings to a maximum of 10 people; implement COVID Safe plans and register as a COVID Safe business and create a digital record (Excel or Word; QR codes strongly encouraged) of patron details within 24 hours including names and phone numbers.

Businesses are expected to ensure all guests provide accurate contact details and must have a dedicated COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall in distinctive clothing to oversee social distancing, cleaning and hygiene.

Contact tracing has proved crucial in breaking the chain of transmission from the Crossroads Hotel and Thai Rock outbreaks — a fact operators all over the country should bear in mind, regardless of specific restrictions in their jurisdictions.

Venues must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for each food and drink area, with staff and customers from each area kept separate from each other. Patrons must be seated. While businesses may need to update their plans as advice changes, they do not need to reregister each time.

The new rules apply across the entire state, including regional and rural areas, and will be strictly enforced. Venues who fail to comply with the measures will face a penalty of up to $55,000 as well as a further $27,500 for each day the offences continue. Liquor and Gaming NSW also have the power to issue on the spot fines of $5,500. A second offence will see businesses closed for a week, while a third offence will see venues shut down for up to one month.

So far, several venues, including the Golden Sheaf in Double Bay and The Star, have been slapped with $5,500 fines, while the Garry Owen Hotel in Rozelle copped a double fine totalling $10,000. ■

Stay up to date on the latest restrictions across all states and territories at www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au