Coronavirus Australia: NSW government allows door-to-door cocktails

The Government has announced an ease in restrictions that means your favourite small bar can now deliver cocktails to your door while you practice social distancing.

The NSW Government has announced it’s allowing small bars and restaurants to deliver cocktails door-to-door.

The temporary easing of liquor restrictions comes in the wake of mass shutdowns of restaurants and bars due to a rising number of coronavirus cases in Australia.

Yesterday the Government announced all non-essential businesses would need to be shut down to enhance social distancing and stop the rate of the spread of the coronavirus.

The announcement was devastating to the hospitality industry, who heavily rely on diners and have been told to pivot entirely to take away.

Numerous restaurants and cafes swiftly announced they’d be closing down indefinitely, some saying they’d attempt to reopen when the coronavirus had stopped affecting trade.

RELATED: Follow the latest coronavirus updates

RELATED: Follow the latest Australian updates on the coronavirus pandemic

It comes after a raft of escalating measures have been imposed over the last week to stop the spread of the virus, including restrictions on public and indoor gatherings, the banning of foreign travellers from arriving in the country, and imposing a mandatory self-isolation period of 14 days for anyone arriving back in the country from anywhere overseas.

However Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello today signed off on a temporary easing of restrictions for small bars, microbreweries, restaurants and cafes that means they can now deliver cocktails to your door.

The measures will be temporary and will be monitored by the regulatory authority. Businesses delivering cocktails or alcoholic drinks will still have to comply with Responsible Service of Alcohol, news.com.au understands.

This will include making sure liquor isn’t sold to anyone under the age of 18 or to anyone who is intoxicated.

The office of Liquor and Gaming called the pandemic an “exceptional set of circumstances” that are having “significant impacts on the businesses we regulate”. The statement says the office is willing to be flexible in the context of the pandemic, to help businesses get through.

The easing of restrictions comes into effect from today.

A number of bars around Sydney have swiftly reacted to the easing of restrictions, announcing they’ll be delivering cocktails, along with bar snacks and food.

Small bar Low 302 in Surry Hills announced it was putting together a full delivery menu to comply with the new social distancing restrictions, urging their customers to “stay safe without missing out on the finer things”.

Popular Cronulla restaurant Alphabet St in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire said in a post on Instagram they were perfecting their takeaway apple martini.