Speed bumps remain for pubs and clubs

Pubs and clubs have a long way to go before fully re-opening.

Pubs and clubs have been given the green light to re-open their doors and serve drinks with meals for up to ten customers at a time.

The restrictions lift was good news for the beleaguered hospitality sector.  But few have taken up the opportunity, saying it was not financially viable for them to entertain only ten customers at a time.

Under the conditions, which took effect Saturday, bars and gaming facilities have to remain shut but alcoholic drinks and meals can be sold to seated customers in keeping with social distancing measures. 

Nambour RSL CEO Suzanne Long said the change would have little effect on her club. “We won’t be opening unfortunately. It is just not viable for 10 people, as people can probably imagine. 

“But our takeaways are proving successful, so we’re taking some comfort from that.”

Rick Gazzard from Beerwah and Palmwoods Hotels also said his bistros would remain closed for “on premise dining” but takeaways were available. 

“We thank them for their determination to control COVID-19, keep us safe and healthy and at the same time try to enable businesses and people to get back to work.

“We are continuing our takeaway service as normal and we launched our brand new takeaway menu recently. We look forward to reopening our Bistro, Bars and Gaming Room at some point in the future – hopefully on 10 July.”

Maleny Hotel Retail Manager Chris McLeod said his pub would take advantage of the restrictions lift and offer limited dining. 

“We’re doing takeaways anyway so it’s a bit of an extension on top of that,” he said. “It’s not great, but it’s a start for which we’re very grateful.”

Woombye Pub publican Mark Welchman said the restrictions ease was a step in the right direction and offered some relief. “We’re getting there,” he said. 

“Tentatively we may be able to open next weekend but we’re baulking at complying with the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Plan.” 

“This easing of restrictions is a very, very small step,” he said. 

“It will probably help to get people to line up all their ducks in a row. The thing that’s saving us at the moment is the bottle shop sales.  

“There’s no doubt it’s hard times for everyone. And there’s no end date. This is Stage 1 re-opening. Even Stage 3 is not fully open. It’s open, but with space restrictions. Even that will only give us about half our normal trade.”

Staged comeback:

• Stage 1 allows a maximum of 10 people at any one time for dining in cafes, restaurants, pub bistros, licensed clubs and RSL clubs – but Bars and Gaming must still remain closed.

• Stage 2 is planned to commence on 12 June (subject to COVID 19 remaining “under control”) and will see the limit of 10 increased to a maximum of 20 people at any one time for dining in cafes, restaurants, Pub bistros, licensed clubs and RSL clubs – but Bars and Gaming must still remain closed.

• Stage 3 is planned to commence on 10 July (subject to COVID-19 remaining “under control”) and will see the limit of 20 increased to a maximum of 100 people at any one time for dining in cafes, restaurants, Pub bistros, licensed clubs and RSL clubs. Only in Stage 3 will Bars and Gaming be permitted to reopen in Pubs.