As restrictions ease slightly for cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs from today, some local establishments are returning to a more normal state of business.
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Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has confirmed pubs and clubs will join cafes and restaurants in providing dining as part of the state government's push to boost the economy.
Mr Perrottet said the venues will be able to open from Friday, May 15, as long as they adhere to social distancing requirements and stick to a limit of 10 customers at any given time.
Bars and gaming facilities will remain closed but table service for alcohol with a meal will be allowed, along with takeaway services.
The announcement has lead many pubs and clubs across the Macleay to weigh up the option of reopening or expanding their services at a restricted level.
For the Willawarrin Hotel, which has been a huge support to the local community over the past six months, the decision was an easy one.
"Great news, as of Friday (May 15) we are allowed to open the Abbey Bistro for meals. We have strict rules to follow and hope our patrons will assist us in following these restrictions," a post on the Willawarrin Hotel's Facebook page read.
Owner Gordon Anderson said being able to open the bistro will be be a big boost for the hotel and also the community.
"It's pretty awesome news that we'll be able to offer food to the community again," he told the Argus.
"I didn't think I would be so excited to get back to work."
Gordon said it will also mean a great deal to the fire-hit community of Willawarrin.
"People will be able to get out and see each other again. We've been a central hub for the community since the fires and we will continue to be that for locals.
"The restrictions did see us battling, but we really tried to keep going. This will mean business can tick over and it's really the first stage of returning to normal," Gordon said.
The West Kempsey Hotel will also be expanding their services from today by offering takeaway meals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Owner/partner Ben James said being able to offer meals to locals will give the team at the West Kempsey Hotel a chance to give back.
"It opens it up for the customers to be able to grab their favourite pub meals and also means we have a chance to give back," he said.
At this stage the West Kempsey Hotel, like many other larger hospitality establishments, aren't opting to offer limited dining as it's simply not viable.
"The 10 people limit is difficult. When we're allowed to have around 20 people, that's when we'll be able to look at opening up for dining."
The Seabreeze Beach Hotel in South West Rocks posted on their Facebook page on May 14 announcing they too have made the decision not to open their dining section at this stage.
"The government's stage 1 easing of restrictions is an exciting first step. However, for us the realistic re-opening time is still further away when it is safe and commercially viable to do so," the post read.
The Seabreeze Beach Hotel's Local Liquor and Essentials store will continue to stay open.
Figures released last week by Australian Hotels Association NSW show that of approximately 75,000 hotel and pub workers employed pre-crisis - a total of 94 per cent or approximately 70,452 have been stood down or terminated.
Residents are encouraged to stay up to date with local clubs and pubs current services through their Facebook pages or by contacting the establishment directly.
What does the rollback look like?
Stage 1:
- Five visitors at home, 10 in business and public places
- Work from home if it works for you and your employer
- Restaurants, cafes and shopping open but with distance rules
- Pubs and clubs for dining only 10 person limit
- Libraries, community centres, playgrounds and boot camps open
- Local and regional travel
Stage 2:
- Gatherings of 20 in your home, business and public places
- Work from home if it works for you and your employer
- Gyms, beauty therapists, cinemas, galleries and amusement parks open
- Caravan or camping grounds
- Some interstate travel
Stage 3:
- Gathering sizes increased to 100
- Return to workplace
- Nightclubs, food courts, saunas open
- All interstate travel
- Consider cross-Tasman, Pacific island and international students travel