Sydney pubs fined, face tougher restrictions as another lockout looms

NSW publicans woke to the news this morning that tougher restrictions have been reintroduced following growing COVID-19 outbreak at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula. 

The Crossroads Hotel in Sydney's south-west is now responsible for 21 new coronavirus cases. 

Under new COVID-19 rules, group bookings at pubs have been reduced from 20 people down to 10. Large venues will not be allowed to host more than 300 patrons.

The new restrictions include stringent rules on how pubs are cleaned and stricter requirements for venues to collect contact details of patrons. 

The decision was made on Monday night during a meeting of senior government ministers.

According to a senior NSW government source, The Australian Hotels Association had addressed the government with a list of suggested changes that would ensure pubs were safe.

"Full credit to the AHA, they came to the government with stronger steps they are prepared to take," the source said. "This isn't about the government being heavy-handed, it's about tightening existing restrictions."

In mid-May, NSW pubs were allowed to reopen but with a restriction of 10 people per group booking and with no more than 50 patrons at each venue.

More recently, this increased to  group bookings of 20 people. There were also no restrictions placed on the number of people inside a pub on condition that a venue complies with an indoor limit of one person for every four square metres.

The changes announced this morning mean no matter how large a venue is, 300 people will be the maximum number of people allowed inside a pub at any one time.

These changes will not apply to clubs, restaurants or The Star Casino, which received a $5000 fine on Monday after inspectors were made aware of people mingling out the front while drinking on Saturday night.