TABLE OF FIFTY

June bid for 50 people

PUBS and restaurants in Queensland could soon be serving up to 50 people at a time from June 12, with the hospitality industry confident the ambitious target is being considered by the Palaszczuk Government.

Restaurant and Catering Australia handed its COVID Safe Plan to the State Government this week, which included proposals to combat the virus, such as banning buffets, limiting share plates and laminating menus.

PUBS and restaurants in Queensland could soon be serving up to 50 people at a time, with the hospitality industry confident the ambitious target is being considered by the Palaszczuk Government.

The Bulletin can reveal Restaurant and Catering Australia handed its COVID Safe Plan to the State Government this week, which included proposals to combat the virus such as banning buffets, limiting share plates, laminating menus and increasing cleaning schedules.

The Government’s road map has set a limit of 20 people to be allowed to dine in pubs, restaurants and clubs from June 12 – but they could allow more patrons if COVID Safe Plans are approved by health authorities.

Restaurant and Catering chief executive Wes Lambert said they expected the Government would consider a limit of 50 people for stage two in a huge win for the industry.

“We’re actually working very closely with the Palaszczuk Government and the COVID-19 taskforce,” he said.

“We do expect that they will also consider 50.

“Fifty was already going to be considered for the regions and we’re quite confident that Queensland will certainly consider 50 in the CBDs.”

It comes after NSW yesterday announced it would allow up to 50 customers to be seated in restaurants and cafes from June 1.

A spokesman from the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s office yesterday said that what NSW did was a matter for them.

“Queensland will continue to be guided by our Chief Health Officer’s advice,” he said.

Mr Lambert said they had handed their COVID Safe Plan to the Queensland Government on Thursday for restaurants

IT’S A COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENT THAT GIVES BUSINESSES A MANUAL SO THAT THEY ARE SURE THEY’RE COVID SAFE.

WES LAMBERT

to be considered as one of the industries that will be allowed more patrons under stage two.

“It’s a comprehensive document that gives businesses a bit of a manual so that they are sure that they’re COVID safe and they’re practising the most COVID safe guidelines so that consumer confidence will continue to build,” he said.

The industry plan covers a range of areas, including bookings and conditions of entry, staff practices and dining in.