Easing rules guide path to summer fun
HOUSEHOLD gathering numbers can double in size and vertical drinking outdoors will be allowed at venues as part of a sweep of corona virus restrictions set to ease next week.
While labelling yesterday a “milestone day” for Tasmania as the state reopened its borders with New South Wales, Premier Peter Gut we in said reopening the border to Victoria ahead of December was being considered.
Mr Gut we ins aida‘ Summer Social Package’ announced yesterday contained three components on a pathway to safe socialising.
From Friday, contact tracing in all Tasmanian hospitality venues will be made mandatory with one person per dining group required to fill out a tracing form upon entryintovenues.
It is not applicable for takeaway businesses.
A contact tracing register was expected to launch on the WorkSafe Tasmania website yesterday and further work is being done on an electronic measure, Mr Gut we in said.
In a move that “disappointed” hospitality industry leaders, vertical drinking will also be allowed at dining venu es in outdoor areas from Friday next week.
The cap on household gatherings will increase from 20 to 40onFriday.
Mr Gutwein said the government was also considering increasing the number of people allowed at larger private properties for events such as weddings.
He said restrictions and border measures had so far placed the state in good stead and said Tasmanians needed more“certainty” about the future.
“We recognise that while the internal restrictions we have had to put in place have been necessary to protect the health and safety of Tasmanians, we also need a pathway to return to a new COVID-normal way of living,” Mr Gutweinsaid.
Independent MP Madeleine Ogilvie, who quizzed the premier in state parliament last month about why household gatherings remained at 20, said“the Premier had finally listened to reason ”.
“I am pleased he has decided not to be Grinchy anymore ,” Ms Ogilvi es aid.
“Families have been coming to me, calling for gathering numbers to be lifted so they can spend Christmas with their lovedones.”
Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old slammed the vertical drinking rule allowance for outdoor areas only, saying“the vast majority of Tasm an ianvenues were built last century, without beer gardens and courtyards”.
“This rule change doesn’t go anywhere near relieving the strain on the industry that is threatening business viability,” hesaid.
The one person per 2 sqm rule will still apply for outdoor vertical drinking.
Labor leader Rebecca White said the easing of restrictions was a step in the right direction, but not far enough.
“Labor has joined hospitality venues in calling for an end to the ban on standing up drinking. It’s a restriction that has been hurting business and causing stress for workers .”
Authorities will review the vertical drinking measures in onemonth.
Phoebe Wilding, of Hobart, said she was looking forward to a vertical drink. “We’ve waited along time ,” she said.
Ms Wilding said she would be drinking at Post Street Social, Botanica and other bars with outdoor areas. She said the restriction of having to sit hadn’ t stopped her going out.
“It’s not too bad but it definitely doesn’t have the same atmosphere and it’s difficult to talk to friends when you can’t get up and move around .”