Country pub owner claims he 'can't speak English' after police ask him why he doesn't have a proper coronavirus safety plan
- Pub owner claimed he didn't speak English when quizzed about COVID-19 plan
- Police arrived at premises on Hoskins Street, Temora in Riverina area of NSW
- They noticed there was no sign-in book for patrons to write down contact details
- Officers questioned pub about COVID-19 safety plan and found there wasn't one
A pub owner claimed he didn't speak English when questioned why there was no COVID-19 health plan at the premises.
Police arrived at the pub in the small town of Temora in central New South Wales, about 12.30pm on Thursday to ensure there was a safety plan in place.
Upon arrival, there was no sign-in book for patrons to jot down their details to be contacted in the off-chance there was a positive COVID-19 case at the pub.
Officers then asked the licensee for the pub's COVID-19 Safety Plan to which he claimed he did not speak English.
A pub owner claimed he didn't speak English when questioned why there was no COVID-19 health plan at the premises
Following further investigations, police established there was no safety plan in place and issued the pub with a hefty $5,000 for not complying with health directions.
The licensee was also issued with a $1,000 infringement notice for the same offence.
In NSW, venues must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan, enforce contact tracing, space out tables apart and have hand sanitiser at all times as part of the current Public Health Order.
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Venues have been warned they need to fall in line with COVID-19 restrictions including customer limits and caps on group bookings or face closure.
The warning comes after Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced earlier this month that pubs must limit patron numbers to 300 and restrict group bookings to 10 people.
Only half of the state's pubs have completed a coronavirus safety plan and registered as 'COVID-safe'.
Police arrived at the pub on Hoskins Street, Temora (pictured) to ensure there was a safety plan in place
Ms Berejiklian said the new rules were about reducing the risk for transmission, but she said it was important to keep the state open.
Weddings will also be capped at 150 guests, and funerals will be limited to 100.
'For weddings and corporate events, the maximum number is 150, but again, completely seated, no dancing, no singing, no mingling,' she said.
NSW recorded 21 cases of coronavirus on Friday as the state works to contain the positive cases.
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