An industry taskforce is working on a plan to reopen Victorian pubs and other licensed venues under strict operating rules.
The Age reports: "The state government-appointed working group, including Crown Casino, major pub owners and community clubs, has met over recent weeks to chart a road back for the industry, which has been crippled by the lockdown."
Among the measures being discussed are table service instead of self-service at bars, lower dining room capacities, an indoor limit of one person for every four metres and switching off every second poker machine.
Other potential measures include temperature testing at entrances and screens separating patrons and staff at bars.
According to The Age, Marlene Kairouz, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, told the taskforce group last week that Victorian pubs might be permitted to open by late July.
The parties involved in the industry group are reported to include Crown Resorts; Tabcorp; ALH; the Australian Hotels Association; Community Clubs Victoria and the RSL.
A spokeswoman for the Victorian government said: "Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of Victorians as we work to slow the spread of coronavirus. We will follow the advice of the Chief Health Officer to determine when it is appropriate and safe for licensed venues and casinos to reopen."
Pictured above: The Prahran Hotel, Melbourne
PM discusses getting people back in pubs
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday that the easing of social distancing restrictions and getting Australians “back in the pub” is contingent on more people downloading the COVID-19 app.
“Now if that isn’t an incentive for Australians to download CovidSafe on a Friday, I don’t know what is,” he said.
“The degree to which we can confidently reduce restrictions depends on how many people have downloaded the COVIDSafe app.
“So I’d encourage people to do just that this afternoon.
“And I’d encourage them, if they’re talking to each other on Zoom, if they’re having a cold one later on today in that environment and if they’re looking forward to doing it in a pub, well that is a prerequisite to even getting to that conversation.”
Morrison also announced Australians will be given an “early mark”, with national cabinet meeting a week earlier than expected, next Friday, to discuss social easing distancing restrictions.
Pictured main: Garden State Hotel, Melbourne
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