Coronavirus: What 'stage one' of reopening pubs could look like

We might be a step closer to having a pint at the pub again as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact on the everyday lives of Australians.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters on Tuesday, following a meeting with National Cabinet, the government has been in touch with the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) and the Restaurant and Catering Association.

It’s part of a strategy to get venues open safely and to mobilise Australia’s workforce.

Mr Morrison said advice from the AHA and the Restaurant and Catering Association would go off to the medical expert panel.

“It will be part of the process we will work through to get back to a position when pubs and clubs, and restaurants or cafes in the future can be open,” he said.

Yahoo News Australia has obtained a copy of the AHA’s proposal, which suggests two stages on reopening bars and restaurants.

It calls for an “exit strategy” for recovery in a “safe and sustainable” manner.

As part of this strategy, “stage one” will require people in venues to stand 1.5 metres away from each other.

Menus will either be single use or covered in plastic and regularly cleaned. If feasible, food might also have to be ordered via a mobile device.

Ordering a drink might be different too. Bollards or markings on the floor have been proposed to not only encourage social distancing, but to also make bar service orderly.

Venues are being encouraged to have a single entry and single exit point to stop people walking into each other with possible identification recordings on entering and temperature checks.

In “stage one”, people wouldn’t be able to enjoy communal free food, such as snacks like chips or peanuts.

Buffets and communal cutlery trays will also be off the menu.

Additionally venues will encourage the use of the COVIDsafe app, which currently has more than five million downloads.

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The proposal advises staff will receive increased training in safe work health practices with increased cleaning at “all touch points” – such as handrails, tables and chairs.

If possible, all staff would have daily temperature checks.

Each venue would also have a nominated hygiene, capacity and distancing officer.

“Stage two” relies on evidence of what worked from stage one as restrictions ease.

Mr Morrison is expected to announce a date for bars, restaurants and cafes to re-open following a National Cabinet meeting on Friday.

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