Eateries, pubs face quandary

Opening not on all menus

MADURA MCCORMACK madura.mccormack@news.com.au

SOME Northern Territory eateries will not reopen on Friday despite easing coronavirus restrictions while others remain in limbo, with restaurateurs and publicans worried they may be better off waiting until June.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants will be allowed to open in the NT from noon on May 15, provided they maintain social distancing rules of 1.5m, serve alcohol with food and ensure no one remains at their venue for longer than two hours.

But the Sunday Territorian understands numerous venues will opt to remain shut, citing the burden of costs like power bills and restocking versus how much patronage they may be able to have.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce confirmed some businesses were choosing to hold back to see if the Government would release further details around precise physical distancing rules or what will be enforced.

Businesses need to submit a coronavirus safety plan to the NT Government. A quick checklist that shows they plan to stick to the rules.

The NT, unlike other jurisdictions, has not imposed a strict quota on how many people can be inside an eatery or pub, only that physical distancing be followed.

Eateries are also not forced to alter internal layouts or provide hand sanitising stations at arrival points for patrons.

By late on Friday afternoon, more than 700 businesses across the Territory had filled out the form, just days after it became available.

Health officers and police will check venues to see if they are complying but the NT Government has previously said it would prioritise education and not enforcement.

Berry Springs Tavern coowner Ian Sloan said the venue was still weighing up the capacity in which it will open from May 15.

“To be honest we lose more money by conditions being imposed (due to power, staff and stock costs),” he said.

Mr Sloan said the tavern would likely be able to go full swing only on June 5, the date stage three of NT’s restriction rollback comes into effect.

The NT remains the jurisdiction with the highest level of freedom amid the pandemic, though it is likely our borders may stay shut longer than most.