Liquor & Gaming has fined restaurants Sushi Hon and Pho Tonkin $5000 each for COVID non-compliance after a blitz targeting COVID safety and venues involved in the NSW Government's Dine & Discover program.
Inspectors found Eveleigh restaurant Sushi Hon had no check in system at all and no COVID Safety Plan while Sydney Vietnamese restaurant Pho Tonkin failed to use the Service NSW QR code for checking in, had no COVID Safety Plan and the staff member serving customers failed to wear a mask.
Liquor & Gaming Director of Compliance Dimitri Argeres said the current processes were critical in controlling COVID numbers and that non-compliant venues would continue to be penalised.
"Recording patron details electronically through the Service NSW QR Code is an absolutely fundamental COVID safety requirement," Mr Argeres said.
The offences inspectors witnessed at Sushi Hon and Pho Tonkin were completely irresponsible and we will not hesitate to impose significant penalties on venues who break the rules and put others at risk.
"We are asking operators to follow simple rules that can be the difference between controlling a potential outbreak or watching it spiral out of control.
"An overwhelming number of venues have adapted to these rules and continue to operate busy and efficient businesses, so at this stage of the pandemic there is no excuse for not complying with the basic requirements"
"Our inspectors will continue to undertake both uniformed and plain clothes inspections, so if you're breaking the rules you run a high risk of receiving a hefty fine.
The blitz also targeted participants of the Dine & Discover program to potential cases of price inflation and accepting vouchers for prohibited items such as alcohol and cigarettes.
The inspection campaign runs until 30 June 2021. The conditions of the NSW Government's Dine & Discover program can be found here: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/dine-discover-nsw-terms-and-conditions-business
