A pub in Sydney has been forced to call ‘last round’ for the next little while after being closed down by NSW authorities for several breaches of coronavirus regulations.
The Unity Hall Hotel in Balmain was closed for seven days and fined $10 000 by NSW Liquor and Gaming. This is in addition to a $5 000 fine from local police, which was issued the previous day.
Two birthday parties contravened regulations
The popular venue was closed on Wednesday after inspectors viewed CCTV footage of two birthday parties hosted there on Tuesday.
Both were found to breach Public Health Orders, which prohibit dancing and mingling. There is also a 10-person limit on bookings in hospitality establishments.
Police went to the hotel on Tuesday after a complaint from a member of the public. They found that regulations were being breached and issue a fine of $5 000 on the spot.
Police referred incidents to Liquor and Gaming
The matter was then referred to NSW Liquor and Gaming, whose inspectors conducted a follow-up investigation the next day.
Dimitri Argeres, the organisation’s Director of Compliance, said inspectors would be closing venues for second and third offences, as non-compliance posed a clear and significant risk to public health.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, hotel management said: “We apologise unreservedly to our patrons and the wider community … since the breaches we have implemented a number of procedures that go above and beyond what is required of hotels to ensure the safety of our staff and patrons”.
Bondi Bowling Club also in breach of regulations
Meanwhile, the Bondi Bowling Club is also in hot water after being declared NSW’s worst venue for coronavirus health and safety by NSW Liquor and Gaming.
“We are still on a cliff edge, but you wouldn’t know it if you went to Bondi Bowling Club on 29 August,” Argeres said.
“The venue was operating as though the COVID safety measures were optional.
“This presented a pretty grim picture of patrons and staff who are simply ignoring the restrictions everyone else has to live with and putting the entire community at risk.”
