Coronavirus: ‘keg convoy’ helps northern pubs open again

At the stroke of noon on Friday, publicans across the Northern Territory unlocked the doors to their caverns of golden nectar.

Ryan McGregor, left, and Cara and Mark Talbot enjoy their beers as Darwin pubs reopened on Friday. Picture: Amos Aikman

At the stroke of noon on Friday, after 53 days of coronavirus-­related closures, publicans across the Northern Territory unlocked the doors to their caverns of ­golden nectar.

Plumber Mark Talbot began spreading a rumour on the building site where he works that everyone would be let off early to go to the pub. Whether true or not, he and his wife, Cara, and mate Ryan McGregor were at Darwin’s ­Cavenagh Hotel to enjoy their first lunchtime drinks in almost two months. “It’s like an angel pissed on my tonsils,” Mr Talbot said, raising his glass again.

“We tradies are lucky that we got to work through the pandemic, so it’s good to come down and support­ a local business.”

Venues have been allowed to reopen with social-distancing measures in place, a two-hour limit per patron and a requirement to serve alcohol with food.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner skipped the last few minutes of Friday’s national cabinet meeting to pour one of the pub’s first beers.

“The Territory has been kicked in the guts by coronaviru­s, and today is the day that we fight back,” he said. “We reckon about 3000 people are back in work today … we know it’s going to be a long road to recovery for the entire country, but we’re starting first in the NT.”

Restaurants, gyms and other businesses also reopened on Friday­. Restrictions are due to be further eased on June 5, bringing the Territory to a “new normal” consisting of tight border controls but relative freedom inside.

Alex Bruce, chief executive of Hospitality NT, the local branch of the Australian Hotels Association, declared Friday’s changes a small victory in the “freedom fight”.

“This is about your fundamental right to work, stand on your own two feet and provide for your loved ones,” he said.

“From now on, measures need to be targeted and focused — no more broad shut­downs taking an axe to jobs and livelihoods.”

Brewers sent a “keg convoy” consisting of about 175,000 litres to resupply venues for what is expect­ed to be a party weekend.

Cavenagh Hotel owner Paul Palmer praised the work of authorities in keeping the Territory relatively coronavirus-free and allowing a faster return to business.

“Pubs in some other states can only have 10 people in total, whereas we can have 10 to a table,” he said. “We feel very blessed for the opportunity we’ve been given, and we don’t want to waste it.”

Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker and Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie visited venues to check on compliance with safety rules. Mr Chalker warned revellers not to be “clowns” and ruin things for others.