NEW rules are being rolled out for pubs across New South Wales from Friday, following a rise in COVID-19 cases this week.
The tough new measures limit group bookings to a maximum of 10 people and cap the number of customers inside a venue to 300 people.
Customers will also be required to sign in with names and contact details each time they visit an establishment to assist with contact tracing.
Crown Hotel owner Tristan Hill said while he was committed to being COVID-safe, some of the measures were impractical for many of his patrons.
“I understand the reason behind it but the practicality of it just makes it hard,” he said.
“A lot of elderly people that come into the pub don’t even have mobiles, so it’s been an issue even to have them sign in with mobile numbers.”
However, Mr Hill said he had been assured that landline numbers would be accepted.
The restrictions are now being enforced at what NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said was “a crucial stage of the pandemic in NSW”.
But Mr Hill said on the eve of the restrictions that he still didn’t have enough information on how some of the measures would work.
“We’re still waiting on the government to give us the details,” he said.
“It’s great of the government to make all these great ideas and then leave it for other people to work out how to do it.”
It’s not all bad news for the Crown Hotel, though.
According to Mr Hill, business is booming in Wentworth due to the influx of authorities enforcing the border closure.
“It’s actually worked out pretty well because all the police are from NSW and they’re not staying in Victoria, so they’re all staying in Wentworth, and there’s military here as well,” he said.
“Wentworth’s choc-a-block at the moment.”
Customers from across the border are still very welcome, but Mr Hill recommended making a reservation.
“You definitely need to book if you’re coming,” he said.
