Freest in the country: NT nightclubs, casinos and cinemas reopen as Stage 3 restrictions unwind

TERRITORIANS will be able to enjoy some of the most relaxed coronavirus restrictions in the country from today as nightclubs, cinemas and casinos reopen their doors

Jana Sykorova, of The Precinct Tavern, is excited that restrictions are being eased today. Picture Katrina Bridgeford

TERRITORIANS will be able to enjoy some of the most relaxed coronavirus restrictions in the country from today as nightclubs, cinemas and casinos reopen their doors.

The NT will ease into Stage Three of easing restrictions at noon that will allow places like sport and entertainment venues to reopen.

Mindil Beach Casino Resort will start a staggered reopening today with the entire gaming floor, including NT Keno, The Sportsbar and The Vue restaurant, all reopening, albeit with some modifications.

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General Manager Mark Bennett said social distancing and hygiene would take priority in ensuring patrons remained safe and healthy.

“Every alternate table will be closed and we’ll limit the number of people we have at tables, we’ll ensure our dealers have hand sanitiser for themselves and for the guests,” he said.

“On the slot floor we’re alternating every other slot machine, with the exception with areas where we have placed flexi-glass between machines. That’ll be about 15-20 per cent of machines.

“(At the Vue) in the spirit of safety and sanitary hygiene we’re moving away from a buffet and moving towards a bistro type set up.”

Mindil Beach Casino Resort will start a staggered reopening today. Picture: Che Chorley

Mr Bennett said the staged opening was necessary and while he couldn’t reveal when other restaurants or the Hotel or Resort would re-open, he was hopeful the Casino Resort would be back to normal in the dry season.

“I’m knocking on wood but best case scenario is the end of July. Nothing would make me happier but I can’t commit to that date yet,” he said.

The Casino will have a maximum capacity of 1100 to 1200 adhering to social distancing regulations but Mr Bennett said numbers probably wouldn’t get up to those levels on the first day as staff adjusted to the staged reopening.

The reopening will include the return of about 200 staff members, accounting for about 40 per cent of their numbers, not including casual staff.

More than 1500 extra people working in the hospitality industry are expected to head back to work today as restrictions ease.

The Precinct Tavern’s venue manager Clare Dazeley said being able to reopen their gaming room, TAB and pool table would mean they could finally get back to almost normal.

“That stage two rules definitely put a lot of people off going to the pub like they usually would,” she said.

The Precinct Tavern’s Jana Sykorova is excited for Stage Three restrictions to ease that will allow pubs to get rid of the time limits and food restrictions. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

“That rule that you had to have food with your beer turned us into more of a restaurant.”

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Hospitality NT boss Alex Bruce said businesses met with environmental health authorities on Thursday to address some uncertainties around today’s changes.

“The outcome of that meeting was generally positive,” he said.

“Health authorities want to ensure nightclub venues have the ability to contact trace, so some venues may be requiring their customers to download the COVIDSafe app while others have their own ID scanners already.

“People will still be asked to stick to their own groups while out but the 10 person limit is gone.

“The advice is to limit how much face-to-face contact you have with someone not in your group to 15 minutes or less.”

Originally published as Freest in the country: NT nightclubs, casinos and cinemas reopen as Stage 3 restrictions unwind