FOR those people who have been missing their favourite pub meal washed down with a schooner, the NSW Government has delivered unexpected good news.
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From Friday, you'll be able to dine at pubs and clubs, but bars and gaming facilities will remain closed amid further easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
The other catch - restaurants in these pubs and clubs will be forced to stick to a maximum of 10 patrons at any time.
While the announcement was made on Wednesday evening, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian further clarified the rules on Thursday.
"Pubs and clubs fall into the same category as restaurants and cafes," she said.
"We appreciate that many large venues won't be viable and won't choose to open, but it's only up to 10 people per venue.
"Even if there's multiple rooms or multiple facilities at a venue, it's only up to 10 people in one venue."
Ms Berejiklian urged people to book ahead when wanting to dine out at pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants.
"Don't just go ahead and line up outside a venue. If you are lining up to eat inside a venue, please make sure you maintain social distancing," she said.
"The irony is we don't want people spreading the disease as they're waiting outside in the queue.
"Don't assume that because you're out and about with people you know that you can relax on the social distancing."
With a range of other restrictions to be eased from Friday, Ms Berejiklian urged people not to be complacent.
"For the first time in a long time people will be out of the house for recreation purposes and that means we all have to be vigilant," she said.
"Please don't expect the handful of cases we're getting every day to continue next week and beyond because the increase in activity does mean extra cases and it does mean we need extra people to come forward and get tested."
Other changes coming into effect from Friday, May 15:
- Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people
- Cafes and restaurants can seat 10 patrons
- Up to 5 visitors to a household at any one time
- Weddings up to 10 guests
- Indoor funerals up to 20 mourners, outdoor funerals up to 30
- Religious gatherings/places of worship up to 10 worshippers
- Use of outdoor equipment with caution
- Outdoor pools open with restrictions
During the past 24 hours in NSW, four new COVID-19 cases were detected from more than 9700 tests.
There were no new deaths, with the death toll in the state remaining at 47.
- Parmas = parmigiana. You may, of course, know it as parmi or parmy.