From Monday, 1 June 50 people will now be allowed in hotels across NSW - with 50 more allowed in separate dining areas - a move described by AHA NSW CEO John Whelan as an “important and positive step forward” for NSW pubs.
Mr Whelan said the entire industry welcomed today’s further lifting of restrictions by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
“The entire hospitality sector has been hard hit by the COVID-19 crisis with hotels shut down across NSW and 94% of our workforce of 75,000 stood down or terminated,” he said.
“From June 1 we can start re-employing our staff and open up our hotels once again as a great place for our communities to meet, relax and socialise.
“Today’s announcement is a common sense move – it will be particularly welcomed by our NSW country hoteliers as regional NSW opens again for travellers.
“Hoteliers have rightly put the health and safety of staff, patrons and the community first as we battle together to contain the spread of COVID-19, but the virus has devastated hotels and our workforce.
“Today is a significant step forward on the road to recovery for our industry and a welcome kick-start to the NSW economy.
“I would particularly like to thank the Premier, Deputy Premier John Barilaro, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello.
“We look forward to the day when we can safely fully re-open, re-employ our staff and pour a cold draught beer for our loyal patrons.”
“Today’s announcement is a common sense move – it will be particularly welcomed by our NSW country hoteliers as regional NSW opens again for travellers..."
-AHA NSW CEO John Whelan
Locally, AHA Newcastle Hunter President Rolly de With said he also wanted to thank local patrons for all they have done to support the industry, whether it be through the purchase of take-away meals or the responsible and respectful way they have conducted themselves when returning to our pubs for dine-in.
"Without such support and understanding from our community we would not be able to continue moving forward,"he said.
"If we want to see a return of the local pub as we know it, it is up to all of us to do our part and that means respecting social distancing , using common sense and following the advice of government."