Step 2 restrictions to ease 1 June

You’ve probably caught up with the great news that from next Monday, 1^st June, clubs, pubs, churches, halls, gyms, cinemas, museums, galleries and beauty salons can re-open under Step 2 of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Visit www.sa.gov.au for full details but as a guide for local pubs and clubs I offer the following:

You can open from next Monday, with 20 patrons permitted per room to a maximum of 80 patrons per venue, if the size of your premises can allow for essential social distancing requirements.

These numbers do not include staff.

As an example, one-room pubs and small community clubs can have 20 patrons inside, and if you have an outdoor beer garden, another 20 people can be seated there.

Larger pubs can have 20 patrons in their dining room, 20 in their front bar, 20 in their outdoor area and 20 in another lounge area.

The stipulations are:

• that social distancing continues to occur (1.5m apart/1 person per 4 square metres);
• patrons are seated and not standing at a bar; and
• that management fills out an online form outlining their venue’s capacity plan.

This form needs to be filled out once you reopen but doesn’t have to be lodged anywhere. It just needs to be on hand for inspection by authorities should it be requested. 

The form can only be filled out online by visiting: COVID SAFE PLAN

Once you have completed it online, you will receive an email copy that can then be printed and kept at the club ready to show any authority that may request to look at it in due course.

There is no requirement to serve your patrons a meal with alcohol. However, TAB, pokies and gambling facilities remain unavailable (to be considered in step 3). 

There are many in the community naturally excited by the prospect of again being able to meet with friends, family and colleagues at a local club and pub, including me.

I wish all small business, venue managers, club committees and patrons my best wishes for the happier times that lay ahead if we all continue to work responsibly together.

The news certainly lifts community spirits!