A number of Hunter publicans are putting their foot down to protect their patrons from coronavirus by refusing entry to Sydney-siders, Melbourne residents and non-locals.
Paxton Hotel licensee Vic Simpson made the decision to stop accepting Sydney residents last Monday after health authorities announced several Hunter venues had been visited by positive cases from Sydney.
"I thought it was just common sense, keep the locals safe," he said.
Mr Simpson said the pub was regularly visited by Sydney folk on their way to the vineyards, and while the decision has affected his bottom line, he thought it was a necessary measure.
"I've got nothing against Sydney people," he said. "But with the outbreaks in Western Sydney, we've just got to be safe.
"Everyone's been pretty understanding, we've had no trouble so far.
"We're in an isolated area, we're just trying to keep the locals safe.
"Everyone's health is worth more than the holey dollar."
The Lemon Grove Hotel at Wallsend has taken matters a step further and is only accepting social club members and patrons within a five kilometre radius.
Licensee Wayne Stewart said it was about showing respect to the loyal locals, particularly as they have a lot of older clientele.
"The response has been overwhelming, they appreciate we're looking after them," he said.
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Both Mr Stewart and Mr Simpson said they were asking for identification from anyone who came in they didn't recognise.
"We police it as strongly as possible," Mr Stewart said. "We're not saying there couldn't be a case in the local area, but this alleviates some of the risk.
"There's been a lot more cases in Sydney than there has here. It only takes one person and it could ruin everything for us.
"We've been very lucky in Wallsend and we want to keep it that way."
Hotel Jesmond also made the decision to refuse people from Sydney and Melbourne after a state capital resident visited the pub on July 29 and later tested positive for the virus.
Australian Hotels Association NSW liquor and policing director John Green said pubs were well within their rights to refuse entry to Sydney and Melbourne residents.
"Individual licensees have the right to decide who can and can't enter their venue - providing they aren't breaching anti-discrimination laws," Mr Green said.
"While case numbers in NSW remain low, we understand these measures are not designed to punish anyone but simply to keep local patrons safe.
"NSW hotels are operating under significant restrictions, and have been since March so with no cases in the vast majority of Sydney, refusing patrons needs to be a carefully considered position.
"The vast majority of hotels are going above and beyond what is required by NSW Health and are trying to rebuild after the statewide lockdown. "
