Pubs in New South Wales will be reintroducing tougher social distancing restrictions in the wake of a coronavirus outbreak.
At least 21 people have tested positive for the virus after visiting the Crossroads Hotel in Casula in Sydney's south-west.
In a bid to contain future outbreaks, pubs will be restricted to 10 people per booking, down from 20.
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Larger venues will be only permitted to welcome up to 300 guests and will still have to abide by the one person per four square metre rule.
Interestingly, the request to tighten the rules actually came from Australian Hotels Association.
A state government source has told the Sydney Morning Herald: "Full credit to the AHA, they came to the government with stronger steps they are prepared to take. This isn't about the government being heavy-handed, it's about tightening existing restrictions."
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The restrictions reportedly won't apply to clubs or restaurants.
Venues have been put on high alert to stick to the rules after two establishments were caught doing the wrong thing.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook has been disappointed by the 'moronic behaviour' of people breaching social distancing rules.
"We have come a hell of a long way in a really difficult circumstance but you will see from the actions we have taken swiftly in relation to the breaches down in Jindabyne, we will continue to do that,'' he said.
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"Let's be very clear about this, the time for warnings has long passed. The moronic behaviour of people at dance parties has got to stop and we will continue to seek these people out and, where appropriate, take actions.
"The time for warnings has passed and that's in defence of us as a community. We are all responsible for our own actions here and we need to be serious about this."
The Golden Sheaf Hotel in Sydney's Double Bay was fined more than $5,000 after a photo went viral on social media showing dozens of people packed tightly in a queue as they waited to get in. People have since slammed the pub and the patrons for not socially distancing.
A Jindabyne pub in the NSW Snowy Mountains has also been warned three times since May over intoxication levels and public health and safety issues. NSW Police announced yesterday (Monday 13 July) that the pub would be shut down for 72 hours as a penalty.
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Police Minister David Elliott said there won't be any leeway given to places that break the rules.
"I'm appealing to all licensees, all pubs, to learn from this mistake and see what's going on in Victoria," Mr Elliott said.
"If they are under any illusion - under any illusion whatsoever - that we are through this in NSW, they are sadly mistaken.
"We don't want to see the hospitality industry close down again and go into lockdown again, because it may not survive."
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The Police Minister also said that patrons should keep social distancing in mind when they head out to socialise and not just rely on a pub to tell them what to do.
Featured Image Credit: PA