Four weeks to a schooner: Pubs to reopen in early June as one state takes a head-start on getting the bar industry back up and running
- South Australians could finally be able to enjoy a beer at the pub by June 8
- On Monday SA announced up to ten people could dine outside venues
- Up to 20 people will be allowed to dine at restaurants and pubs by early June
- Hotel industry leaders say 20 is not enough and pubs need to open to up to 50
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
South Australians could be enjoying a beer at their local pub as early as the start of June as coronavirus restrictions within the state are lifted ahead of other states.
Premier Steven Marshall said the government was working with the Australian Hotels Association to re-open pubs by June 8, potentially having up to 50 customers at a time.
On Monday, South Australia introduced a string of changes including allowing ten people to dine outdoors at restaurants and cafes.
Sports training will also resume, funerals will be increased to 20 people inside and 30 outside, face to face tutorials at university and TAFE are allowed and camping and caravan parks have opened up.
‘We are now working with the industry to make sure that we can return to table service at pubs, cafes and restaurants in early June,’ Mr Marshall said, The Advertiser reported.
South Australians could finally be allowed to have a drink at the pub by early June (pictured: people having drinks on Rundle Street in central Adelaide before coronavirus restrictions)
‘There will be a slow start because, essentially, lifting the restrictions to 10 diners outdoors only will give some relief to very small businesses.’
Public gatherings of up to 20 people will be allowed by June 8, but hotels and pubs are concerned that number still won’t be enough.
Australian Hotels Association state chief executive Ian Horne said the government should instead look to allow up to 50 people in venues – as long as they socially distance.
‘If you are going to be serious about starting, to get the maximum number of people, viability has got to come at somewhere around 40 or 50-plus,’ Mr Horne said.
Speaking to ABC Radio, Premier Marshall said a lot of venues would remain closed if only ten customers were permitted.
‘Ten outdoor seats is not going to shift the dime in terms of the economics, the restaurants, cafes and pubs have been very clear that ten, nobody would open for ten,’ he said.
‘That’s why we’re sitting down with the sector and saying ‘look what is the minimum viable model to open’.’
Premier Steven Marshall (pictured) said the government was working with the Australian Hotels Association to re-open pubs by June 8
As announced on Monday up to ten people can now dine outside restaurants and cafes in South Australia (pictured: cafes in Adelaide)
Mr Marshall said inner-city pubs would also need a lot more diners than country pubs to ensure they could survive.
‘For country pubs if we could get them to 40 people in their dining room that would be enough to get them back to being viable, whereas big inner city pubs will need more and sometimes they’ve got a lot more space so we’ll just work through all of those issues in a logical way.’
On Friday in the Northern Territory, residents will be able to enjoy a beer at the pub for the first time since COVID-19 measures were in place.
From Saturday in Queensland, people can dine in at restaurants, pubs and cafes in groups no greater than ten.
Western Australia will allow up to 20 people to dine inside restaurants and cafes from May 18.
Up to ten people can also dine at venues in NSW on Friday.
Australian Hotels Association state chief executive Ian Horne said the government should instead look to allow up to 50 people in venues – as long as they socially distance (pictured: Premier Marshall chats with customers at deli in Adelaide)