Coronavirus NSW: New restrictions come into force for businesses - NEWS.com.au

Businesses across New South Wales will be forced to adhere to new COVID-19 restrictions that come into force today as the health department works to contain another potential virus outbreak.

As part of the changes, all hospitality venues will be made to follow new rules that previously only applied to larger licensed venues like pubs. Casinos are exempt from the rules.

For instance, patrons must sign in when visiting venues like a bar, cafe, restaurant or any other unlicensed establishment.

There is a cap of 300 people, regardless of how big the venue is, and bookings will be reduced from 20 to 10 diners. Caps for private indoor and outdoor gatherings remain at 20.

Pubs were previously told to appoint a dedicated hygiene marshall, dressed in distinct clothing, to oversee social distancing and cleaning standards at the venue.

For smaller venues like cafes and restaurants, a hygiene marshall will be employed during peak periods.

Tables must be moved to support 1.5 metres of physical distance where possible.

Venues who aren’t COVID compliant and will be fined up to $55,000 if they fail to follow the new regulations which came into force at 12:01am today.

A further $27,500 penalty will apply each day if they continue to breach the rules.

Liquor and Gaming NSW said inspectors have been out all week checking various venues and handing out fines.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian issued a warning to businesses, saying “any business that doesn't do the right thing will have the book thrown at them” by authorities.

“If we don’t find them ourselves, we expect members of the community to let us know or staff members for that matter,” she said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the changes were based on advice received from the chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant.

“We do not want to see community transmission getting to a stage where it is out of control. These restrictions target large gatherings which are high-risk settings for transmission of the virus,” Mr Hazzard said.

The new health protocols come at a time when the state grapples to stem the spread of the deadly disease, with new clusters popping up across NSW, most recently in Port Stephens, two hours north of Sydney.

On Thursday the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Michael Gunner declared Port Stephens a COVID-19 hot spot, meaning anyone who has been there in the past 14 days and wants to visit the Territory will be subject to two weeks of supervised quarantine at their own cost. Otherwise they must return home.

“I know that's bad news for other Australians, but it’s what needs to happen to keep Territorians safe and that’s my top priority,” he said.

A Port Stephens toddler was among the 19 new cases of coronavirus recorded in NSW on Thursday.

Meanwhile, people from Fairfield in Sydney’s southwest along with those from Liverpool and Campbelltown who attempt to cross the Queensland border will be forced to complete mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.

The changes take effect on Monday.

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2020-07-23 22:20:24Z
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