Olympic lock out law exemptions
The New South Wales state government is getting in with the spirit of the Rio Olympics
Under new, albeit temporary rules, pubs and clubs screening the Australian athletes competing for gold will be exempted from Sydney’s lockout laws. They’ll be able to stay open later.
The New South Wales Government has announced they’ll be allowed stay open beyond their normal hours to allow Australians to cheer on our athletes. In other words, there will be an extension of hours for punters keen to view the key events from the games.
“While you might not be able to replicate the atmosphere in Rio, getting down to your local with some friends and cheering on our Aussie heroes has got to be the next best thing,” Deputy Premier Troy Grant said in a statement.
Critics of the lockout laws might say that’s just rubbing it in, reminding people of what there once was.
And of course, as you would expect, there is a catch.
Extra hours apply only to premises outside the city’s lockout zone. And it’s restricted to certain events.
Licensed venues will be permitted to open for six extra hours – between 4am and 10am – on Sunday, August 21, for the women’s basketball and men’s football finals. And on Monday, August 22, hotels and clubs can stay open for one extra hour – between 4am and 5am to give people a chance to see the men’s basketball.
The regulation will be repeated for the NRL Grand Final in October
It will be extended to venues from 10pm to midnight for the NRL Grand Final on Sunday, October 2 this year.
According to Mr Grant, the extension are aimed at preventing a mass exodus of people placing extra pressure on the city’s transport systems.
Mr Grant says the special exemptions come after extensive consultation with the industry.
by Leon Gettler, August 15th 2016
