After the surprise announcement that bars and clubs are able to reopen under eased lockdown laws, some venues are forging ahead – but the experience will be very different
The New South Wales state government has announced that bars and clubs with kitchens will be able to reopen on 15 May, as Covid-19 lockdowns ease. Restaurants and cafes will be permitted to reopen on the same date.
But to say that “pubs are reopening” does not quite capture the truth of the situation. Bars and pubs will be subject to the same social distancing and headcount caps as other venues – with 4 square metres of space for each patron, up to a maximum of 10 patrons. Pubs and clubs will only be allowed to open “an eating area on the premises” according to the public health order issued 14 May, and can serve alcohol “only if any liquor sold is sold with or ancillary to food served”.
Continue reading...