HUNTER hospitality venues have welcomed the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, which will allow more patrons to dine and drink outdoors at cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Tuesday that restrictions at hospitality venues would be eased from Friday October 16, to allow one patron for every two square metres in outdoor areas. This effectively doubles businesses' outdoor capacity, which is currently restricted to one person per four square metres.
Businesses wanting to operate under the new restrictions must use electronic methods, such as QR codes, to record patrons' contact details. They will still need to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Darby Street's Beach Burrito Co. manager Henry Smale said he was looking forward to being able to welcome more customers into the restaurant's popular outdoor courtyard under the new restrictions.
"That slight difference it makes is great for us coming into summer and the weather getting nicer and everybody getting sick of being stuck inside," he said.
"We're getting busy to the point where we have to turn away some people at night because we're just too busy, so the less people we have to turn away the better.
"Now we can squeeze in a few more customers it will be great for us."
Mr Smale said about 50 per cent of the restaurant's total seating was outside, most in its rear courtyard and the remainder at its front tables near the footpath.
He said when restrictions were introduced the restaurant had to remove a third of the seating in its courtyard.
"We haven't adjusted it yet, as I'm actually waiting for my head office to give me a bit more information on what we're allowed to do, because we have our COVID plan and our layout all based on that," he said.
"But my understanding of the new rules that have come in is we'll be able to put a few more tables out there... it will be at least two or three more tables we'll be able to put out there, which is up to 12 more people we'll be able to have in the restaurant at one time."
He said the restaurant had removed one of its four large bench tables out the front and this layout would remain.
Queens Wharf Hotel co-owner Stephen Smyth said the change was "wonderful" for hospitality venues.
He said he was waiting on advice from the Australian Hotels Association about how it would affect his outdoor area, which has plastic blinds and may be classified as a permanent or fixed structure.
"I think the general public are doing the right thing, everyone is complying, no-one wants to see anyone get this insidious thing," he said.
"It's just a matter of washing your hands and doing the right thing and I think most people are."
He also praised the government's JobKeeper Payment scheme, saying the business would have struggled without the support.
