Noonamah Tavern back pouring Covid-safe beers, life made easier for vaccinated Territorians as vaccination certificate linked to Check In app

After being through the wringer, popular Top End pub Noonamah Tavern is back and pouring beer in Covid-19 safe style.

AFTER having been through the wringer, the Noonamah Tavern is back and pouring beer in Covid-19 safe style.

The much-loved pub escaped early from a two-week shutdown when it was reclassified from a close contact to a casual contact exposure site after the source of the latest Covid outbreak attended the pub on Melbourne Cup day.

Noonamah Tavern owner Tony Innes said he was looking forward to the mask mandate ending on Friday.

“It’s lucky we have come out as a casual contact because now we can go back to work,” he said.

“We opened today (Wednesday) and we’re looking forward to getting back to normal again.”

Mr Innes said he felt like the business was singled out by the Territory government. “They were angry with us because we weren’t up to scratch that day and I admit it, but the tone and the way it came across it was like they were trying to blame us for the debacle,” he said.

“Obviously we are going to review and get extra staff in to help our next major event – we’ll bounce back, we have a few times already.”

Mr Innes said there was something positive to come out of the incident.

“We still had a good day at the frog races and managed to raise $12,000 for the children’s charity Variety NT,” he said.

Territorians can now show their vaccination status upon entering a premises simply by using the check-in app rather than having to also show their digital certificate.

The new function came into effect on Wednesday morning ahead of the vaccine mandate this week.

All existing proof of the certificate, including hard copy and digital, will remain valid. Digital and Corporate Development Minister Paul Kirby said the new feature would further help businesses and Territorians do the right thing.

“We’re excited to announce there has been an update to the Territory check-in app so that as soon as you check in you can in one easy step show your vaccine certificate,” he said.

“Now Territorians can provide proof of their vaccination as simply as checking in – with new updates to the Territory check-in app going live today.

“The new feature will help businesses and Territorians to continue doing the right thing.”

Originally published as Noonamah Tavern back pouring Covid-safe beers, life made easier for vaccinated Territorians as vaccination certificate linked to Check In app