No entry: Northern Beaches clubs ban unvaxxed patrons until 2022

Unvaccinated patrons looking to grab a beer at six clubs across Sydney will have to wait until at least February 2022.

Clubs in Sydney’s north will ban unvaccinated staff and patrons until at least January 31 next year despite the government lifting restrictions for the unvaccinated on December 15.

In a move which NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet expects will be “rare”, five clubs in the northern beaches and one in Mosman have gone a step further than his state government in keeping the unvaccinated out of their venues for at least an additional six weeks.

However, Mr Perrottet said businesses which go further than the government’s restrictions will need to ensure they do not breach the law.

“The NSW government expects the majority of businesses will open their doors to all customers from December 15,” he said.

“Some may choose to exercise additional measures of caution for their patrons and staff, which is permissible providing they meet all relevant legal obligations.”

Clubs NSW boss Josh Landis said a number of clubs had extended the vaccination policy. Picture: Jonathan Ng

But despite the Premier’s expectations most businesses will open to everybody, the move of certain clubs to ban the unvaccinated until at least January 31 has been backed by Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan.

Mr Hazzard said he was a member for one of those clubs and would not wish to sit next to an unvaccinated patron.

“My view as Health Minister is we are still smack in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and businesses have to make sensible decisions to protect their staff and their patrons,” he said.

“I think the licensed clubs’ decision is very sensible.”

ClubsNSW chief executive Josh Landis said clubs with a high number of elderly members may be more inclined to extend the policy.

SHealth Minister Brad Hazzard backed the move. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

“ClubsNSW respects the right of member clubs to determine what approach best suits them regarding permitting unvaccinated patrons in their venues from December 15.”

Mosman Club chief executive Gerard Boyle said the decision would help protect his staff members who were immunocompromised.

“I spoke to my front facing staff. I expected a little bit of ambivalence around it but they were unequivocally passionate about wanting the policy to remain in place,” he said.

Mr Boyle said he had received legal advice which said the venue was within its rights to bar the unvaccinated if the policy was clearly outlined in its by-laws.

Dee Why RSL chief executive Grant Easterby said his club extended the policy based on “an overwhelming number of requests” from staff and members. “We will review on January 31 or if there is any change to the Covid landscape,” he said.