The NSW Government has introduced new COVID-19 restrictions for all pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes and small bars to ensure your business is safe for you, your employees and customers.

Under the new rules, which come in to effect on Friday 24 July, you will be required to make sure: 
 

• No booking or table is over 10 people, down from 20;
• The number of people at a venue is at a maximum of 300 at any one time;
• You have undertaken a compulsory COVID-Safe registration;
• There is a dedicated COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall in distinctive clothing overseeing social distancing, cleaning and hygiene at the venue;
  • Large venues with a capacity of greater than 250 people are to have a COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall on duty whenever the hotel is open.
  • Smaller venues with a capacity of less than 250 are to have a COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall employed in peak periods (lunch 12pm to 3pm and dinner 5pm to 9pm).
• Create a digital record of patron names and phone numbers (excel or word) to be submitted within 24 hours if you use paper sign-in which is still allowed (though you are strongly encouraged to look at QR code sign-in); 
• All patrons provide their name and contact details accurately; and

 
Businesses that already have a COVID Safe Plan in place will have had to meet these requirements. Registering as COVID Safe takes just a few minutes.

These tougher measures will be enforced with random and covert inspections of venues. There will be serious penalties if you fail top meet these standards, including fines and enforced closures of businesses.
 
As our economy reopens, it’s more than important than ever to work together to minimise the spread of Covid-19 and welcome customers back.
 
For more information visit COVID-19: What you can and can't do under the rules.
 
To complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan and register as a COVID Safe business is via the COVID Safe businesses page on the NSW Government website.

Weddings and corporate events will be limited to 150 people subject to the four square metre rule and registration as a COVID-Safe business. Strict COVID-Safe plans must be in place and high-risk activities including choirs and dancing must not occur.

Funerals and places of worship will be limited to 100 people, subject to the one person per four square metre rule and a COVID-Safe business registration.

The rules on gatherings remain the same: 20 guests inside the home and 20 for gatherings in a public place. However, as the home is a high transmission area, the NSW Chief Health Officer strongly recommends a COVID-Safe precautionary approach of limiting visitors to the home to 10 people as a general principle. 

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this tightening was to reduce the risk of uncontrollable break-outs and ensure NSW stays open for business. 

“Unfortunately we must live with COVID-19 and the way it has changed our lives,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“These rules will give businesses and the community a degree of certainty into the foreseeable future, and help NSW avoid uncontrolled virus spread.”

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government continues to work with business and industry to ensure they operate in a COVID-Safe way.

“These measures apply across the state and will also work to protect residents in rural and regional NSW,” Mr Barilaro said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the changes are based on advice received from the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.

“We do not want to see community transmission getting to a stage where it is out of control. These restrictions target large gatherings which are high risk settings for transmission of the virus,” Mr Hazzard said.

“We need people to do the right thing: follow the rules; stay home if unwell and get tested, even with the most minimal of symptoms; always maintain physical distancing when out and about; and ensure good hand hygiene.”

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the new rules will be strictly enforced to protect the wider community.

“Venues should be on notice – NSW Police, Liquor & Gaming inspectors and NSW Health officials are carrying out inspections across the state to ensure COVID-Safe plans are being followed,” Mr Dominello said.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said with a heightened risk of COVID-19 outbreaks, the people of NSW need to be on high alert.

“This is the time to be vigilant – we need people to come forward and be tested even if they have the mildest of symptoms, we need businesses to follow and enforce their COVID-Safe plans and we need people to follow the rules,” Dr Chant said.

Any business found in breach of the public health orders will be held to account and could face a penalty of up to $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day an offence continues. On the spot fines can also be issued.

Liquor and Gaming NSW also have the power to enforce the following penalties:

• first offence: $5500 fine or relevant penalty for breach of the Public Health Order
• second offence: Business will be closed for one week
• third offence (repeated and willful non-compliance): Shutdown for up to one month.