Gladys Berejiklian confirmed new restrictions to contain COVID-19 cases in her state.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has reintroduced some restrictions, designated mainly for pubs, hotels, and larger venues after a recent spike in COVID cases.
The announcement came after the NSW reported 13 new cases between 8 pm on 12 July and 8 pm on 13 July. Patrons who visited a pub on the Hume Highway are being tested for the infection.
Ms. Berejiklian confirmed that large venues would be allowed to seat the maximum of 300 people, and group bookings at pubs will be lowered from 20 to 10. Additionally, venues with a capacity for 250 patrons or above must have a full-time marshall.
Venues will also be required to follow extensive cleaning protocols, and registration with contact details upon entry to the premises will be mandatory. During peak times, all venues must have a designated COVID-19 monitor.
New rules for pubs such as group bookings of only 10 to keep the community safe. Please come forward to get tested as per health advice. See https://t.co/shAzZpMpZv for full details. pic.twitter.com/IS0FzRisPr
— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) July 14, 2020
NSW Premier said the decision came following discussions with the Australian Hotels Association. She explained:
“Unfortunately what they’ve told us is when you have more than 10 in a group booking in a pub or hotel setting, people are mingling and they shouldn’t be mingling.”
“We want everybody seated, no common use of cutlery, no common use of anything… these are basic things to follow to keep everybody safe.”
Ms. Berejiklian also added that people who notice venue operators not following COVID safe guidelines should immediately complain and leave.
“If you walk into a venue and are not comfortable with what you see, you should go speak to the manager on duty and you should leave.”
She added:
“We can’t let our guard down, we can’t relax.”
“Life is not normal, it will not be normal until we have a vaccine or a cure.”
The new restrictions will come into effect this week, while pubs have until Thursday midnight to download a COVID-safe plan under the most recent guidelines and register with Services NSW. The new rules are meant only for pubs, and not include casinos at the moment.
We are urging anyone who visited the Crossroads Hotel, Casula from July 3 to July 10 to come forward for testing & self-isolate for 14 days. The next 2-4 weeks are critical for NSW. pic.twitter.com/2ODU47haxE
— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) July 12, 2020
Moreover, she has urged patrons who visited the Crossroads Hotel this month to come forward for testing and self-isolate for 14-days. There are now 21 active cases linked to the COVID-19 outbreaks at the Crossroads Hotel.
Ms. Berejiklian also warned the public to be on high alert and said the state would go further restrictions if the COVID cases continue to rise.
