East Cessnock Bowling Club will not be accepting visitors from outside of the Cessnock local government area after a recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Sydney and Newcastle.
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Club CEO Marlene Hartog said the decision was made on Saturday in an effort to maintain the health and safety of patrons and staff, after some raised concerns that the virus may return to Cessnock.
The club initially welcomed back members only when it reopened in June after the 10-week, government-enforced closure, but began admitting visitors again a few weeks later.
Since then, several coronavirus hotspots have emerged in Victoria and Sydney, and Newcastle is on high alert after three new cases last week.
Ms Hartog said the large numbers of visitors to the Hunter Valley in recent weeks has raised concerns among the community that COVID-19 may reappear in Cessnock, where a positive case has not been recorded since April.
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The club has implemented COVID-safe procedures, including temperature checks at the door, hand sanitising stations and making sure patrons are social distancing and seated at all times.
Staff have also started wearing masks, and glass screens have been installed at the bar. The club has a contact-free sign-in system and will be installing an automatic temperature-checking station this week.
East Cessnock Bowling Club's COVID-safe hygiene marshal Ellie O'Meley said these measures are for the everyone's safety - customers, staff and their families.
"Our aim is to stay open and keep everyone safe - and we've invested quite a bit to make sure they're safe," she said.
"A lot of our demographic is older; you've got to look after them."
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Members can sign in one guest from the Cessnock LGA; and local residents who are not members are welcome to join.
Ms Hartog said the club would "play it by ear" before deciding to admit out-of-area visitors again.
"Life has changed... this virus is going to be around for a while," she said.
Elsewhere in the Hunter, Bar Beach Bowling Club has also restricted its patronage to members-only.
Under NSW Government regulations, all hospitality venues must be registered as a COVID-Safe business and must adhere to physical distancing, record keeping and hygiene protocols.
Krystal Sellars
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
