The Night Time Industries Association has delivered a reopening principles plan to state governments, urging them to implement a more nuanced approach to venue reopenings.

The plan, which the organisation behind the Keep Our Venues Alive campaign launched, said that a less prescriptive approach to reopening will provide a level of flexibility for different types of businesses as well as balancing public health and business interests.

A coalition led by the NTIA came together to push state governments into considering its principles-based approach to reopening, submitting the guidelines for consideration by state governments yesterday (26th May).

The principles the NTIA laid out relate to social distancing and overall capacity, encouraging bookings, allowing patrons to be at the venue for non-dining purposes such as drinking only or waiting for orders or payment, as long as physical distancing is maintained.

It acknowledged that in the interests of public health self service and buffet dining services should not be permitted, but said that COVID-19 safety training should be provided by the Government online and free for all hospitality workers, and it should become part of worker inductions.

The NTIA is proposing the approach for the initial three phases of the Federal Government’s reopening roadmap.

As part of its proposals it has provided advice on menus and takeaways to employment issues, incorporating the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission’s toolkit to help businesses plan for different stages of reopening.