New COVID-19 rules limiting the capacity of hospitality venues from 75 to 25 per cent — or one person per 4 square metres — will likely result in a loss of profits for South Australian venues across New Year's Eve.
Operations manager of the Macs Hotel Mount Gambier, Adam Nicholls, said the new rules have greatly reduced his businesses' capacity from 750 to 250 people.
"With the restriction supposed to be easing on the 28th there would have been standing, drinking, and dancing," he said.
"With 50 per cent capacity which would have been fine for us because we have quite a large hotel and outdoor area.
The rules have also impacted the number of staff who will be working over New Year's Eve.
Mr Nicholls said he was aware there would be at a reduced capacity for New Year's Eve but was not expecting the sudden last-minute change in rules.
"We were still restricted in some respects, but in the lead up to New Year's Eve the restrictions were meant to be easing," he said.
"We found out on the 26th and restrictions were meant to be eased on the 28th."
Venue manager of the South Eastern Hotel, Linda Boylan, said New Year's Eve has previously been a popular night for the venue.
"We would normally be doing double sittings, seating 200 people per sitting, and now we can only do 86.
"Our front bar potentially can hold 140 and now we can have 42 in there. So yeah, it's going to affect us majorly."
