Just when we thought we were getting out, they pull us back in.
That sentiment, uttered by Al Pacino in The Godfather III, is no doubt being felt by many across the state after Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced new restrictions on pubs across the state on Tuesday.
The new restrictions will see the size of group bookings reduced from 20 to 10 while larger venues will be limited to 300 people.
Further, venues that have a 250-plus capacity will be required to have a full-time COVID-safe hygiene marshall on-site while venues under a 250 capacity must have a “COVID-safe person there during the peak times when the venue is operating,” while registration upon entry will be mandatory.
While paper sign-ins will still be permitted, venues must create a digital record of patron names and phone numbers to be submitted within 24 hours.
The new restrictions come into effect from this week and venues will have until midnight on Thursday to download a COVID-safe plan and register with Services NSW, and the restrictions will not apply to restaurants or clubs.
“We are at a crucial stage of the pandemic in NSW – we want venues strictly implementing their COVID-Safe plans and customers abiding by the rules of the venue they are in,” the Premier said.
The Premier’s announcement comes after the emergence of a cluster of new coronavirus cases at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula last week.
