Patrons will need to adopt some new habits if they want to once again enjoy the facilities at local pubs and clubs.
Maintaining social distancing (one person per four square metres), no standing around (patrons must be seated unless ordering), providing your contact details, using hand sanitizer and sticking to maximum limits are all new rules that pubs and clubs patrons will need to adhere to under the new COVID-19 restrictions.
Public Health Order compliance will be the top priority for all local licensed venues as they reopen this week.
Cobar Bowling & Golf Club secretary/manager Brad Beetson said they have a number of new obstacles to manage before the club reopens this Friday.
“Our priority remains to look after the health of our members and staff while providing access to as much of the facilities as possible,” Mr Beetson said.
He said there are numerous legal responsibilities and guidelines the club will need to follow and all will be strictly enforced.
“We must do this to ensure we remain open.
“More importantly this is to protect our more vulnerable members and guests from contracting the COVID-19 virus,” Mr Beetson said.
The Great Western Hotel, after working through “more rules and red tape than you can poke a stick at,” is also preparing in earnest for their reopening later this week.
The Empire Hotel announced on their Facebook Page a long list of rules and regulations which their patrons will need to abide by.
“We also do not want to turn anyone away but this is going to be unavoidable when we hit capacity [50 people],” they said.
The Empire opened their doors on Monday and had very good patronage all day.
The Cobar Services Club also reopened on Monday at noon.
Secretary/manger Linda Carter said they had a very good first day with approximately 60-70 members all up visiting the club throughout the day.
“I didn’t have any more than 50 in at a time though,” Mrs Carter clarified.
She said all were willing to abide by the new guidelines and no complaints about the new rules were received.
Cobar Police Sergeant Chis Power said as part of compliance Operation Pariac local police will be out monitoring social distancing and ensuring licensed venues are complying with the new restrictions.
