Reduced numbers of patrons in all NSW pubs are part of a new raft of restrictions announced by NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian today.

Numbers of patron groups in pubs will reduce from 20 to 10 and large venues will be capped at a maximum of 300 patrons.

The reduction takes us back to when pubs first reopened in May and were restricted to 10-person group bookings and no more than 50 patrons at a venue. More recently group bookings had been allowed to increase to up to 20 people.

The Premier said “NSW is on high alert” and has been impacted by the spread of coronavirus from neighbouring State, Victoria.

“We know in indoor venues where people are not seated, there is high risk of infection,” Ms Berejiklian said. “If we reduce numbers from 20 to 10, it reduces the chance of transmission.”

“If a venue has the capacity for more than 250 people, it will need a full time covid safety marshal on staff to take care of cleaning and hygiene.

“A venue with a capacity for less than 250 people will need a covid safety person there at all times when operating.”

Ms Berejiklian said the government is working closely with the hotel and pub industry to reduce the chances of spreading the pandemic and is monitoring the situation on a daily basis. 

Mandate

“The industry is also mandating the taking of every person’s details and working on making sure it is all done electronically,” she said. 

Ms Berejiklian said having a Covid safety plan will be now mandatory, not optional.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said as of 12.01pm on Friday, every pub in NSW must download a Covid safety plan and register it.

“Attendance sheets are also mandated for every pub as of 12.01pm Friday,” he said.

“Life is not normal and will not be normal until we have a vaccine or cure,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Victorian impact

Ms Berejiklian said NSW has been impacted by the Victorian situation and the recent rise in Covid cases from the Crossroads Hotel in the Sydney suburb of Casula heralded “a new phenomenon for our continent.”

“Prior to this, the majority of cases were from overseas - now it’s in community transmission,” she said.

“That’s why we closed the border and introduced extra safety measures.

“We are living with this for a long time and cumulatively we will have more cases and have to live with it.

“We also need to make sure people continue to be employed and continue the economy.

“NSW has the resources and we know what we need to do to contain the sources and know we can’t do it without community support. It’s up to us to make sure it happens.

Escalate

“The spread can escalate quickly over the course of weeks. Don’t let your guard down with hand washing and hygiene and make sure there is enough space in a shop line up between you and the next person.

“If you are a voluntary organisation organising an event, do it properly.

Covid cluster

Ms Berejiklian thanked everyone who had already come forward to be tested as a result of the cluster of 28 new cases from the Casula hotel.

One of the people who tested positive had worked in the Casula Kmart on July 10, from 5pm to midnight and anyone who may have been there during those time is also encouraged to get tested.

“Even if test your test is negative, remain self isolated for 14 days,” she said.

Queensland restricts NSW Covid hotspots

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also declared parts of Sydney COVID-19 hotspots and tightened the state's border restrictions.

From midday today, people from other states who have been in the Liverpool and Campbelltown government areas in the past 14 days will not be able to enter Queensland.

Queenslanders who have travelled through those government areas will be allowed entry but forced into hotel quarantine.