NSW government easing of hospitality venue capacity “game changer”
Recovery roadmap acceleration welcomed but it’s not all good news for the unvaccinated
Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) CEO, Michael Johnson has welcomed the NSW State Government announcement that all hospitality venues will increase to a two-person-per-square-metre capacity limit from November 8 describing the move as a “game-changer for hotels.”
Mr Johnson said the change means restaurants, bars and conference facilities can once again begin operating at a profitable level.
“Opening at one person for every four square metres, basically 25 percent capacity, is just not sustainable,” he said.
The TAA has also welcomed the acceleration of the recovery roadmap which will see the easing of restrictions for the fully vaccinated fast-tracked from its originally scheduled December 1 start date to November 8.
Under the ruling, businesses, including hospitality, will be reduced from one person per four square metres to one per two square metres, dancing will be allowed at nightclubs, and capacity limits will be lifted in all settings, except for gym and dance classes which remain capped at 20 people.
Caps on house visitors have been scrapped while numbers at outdoor gatherings are set to increase.
Additionally, indoor pools will reopen for all purposes, amusement centres and play centres will reopen, and major events and stadiums will return to 100 percent capacity.
However, masks will remain compulsory in public indoor settings until December 15.
It’s not great news for the unvaccinated.
While initially the ruling for unvaccinated people was set to be eased from December 1, that date has now been pushed back until December 15, the date 95 percent of the NSW population is expected to be vaccinated.
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
