Cafes and restaurants call for “freedom weekend” in NSW
The NSW government is in discussions with the nation’s peak hospitality body in relation to a trial for a “Freedom Long Weekend” at the beginning of October.
The weekend would allow restaurants and cafes in a single local government area to reopen provided there are low case numbers and high vaccination rates.
Restaurant and Catering Australia (R&CA), along with many other industry groups, were asked by the NSW government to draft proposals by Monday.
The road map for R&CA would see a trial adopted whereby venues will reopen from 1 October, with no more than 100 patrons indoors and a 2sqm rule without a cap for outdoors.
Masks and QR check-ins would be mandatory as would vaccination status.
The trial would coincide with the Labour Day long weekend
Included in the submission was a fast-tracking of outdoor dining permits, a state government waiver of these costs, and additional financial assistance grants of up to $10,000 to assist small and large businesses with reopening.
The submission states that density limits should be removed once vaccination levels of 80 per cent are reached. At that point venues could reopen to non-vaccinated patrons and staff as well.
Mandatory masks would no longer be necessary once the 80 per cent target rate is met.
At that point and “vertical consumption” of food and beverages should be permitted.
ClubsNSW also made a submission, requesting a staggered reopening of its venues and permission for outdoor trade.
A spokesman for ClubsNSW said its proposal for outdoor trade had been approved by a professor of epidemiology.
“The data suggests the risk of outdoor COVID-19 transmission is incredibly slim, and therefore it is safe for the industry to reopen outdoors sooner, rather than later. Our top priority is getting our 43,000 club employees across the state back to work, and off government welfare.”
Irit Jackson, 31st August 2021
