With many businesses struggling to survive and calls for people to shop local to protect local jobs social distancing is becoming the new norm.
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Many examples started appearing across the Illawarra after Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement on Thursday restricting internal gatherings to 100.
But they are now being reviewed after he addressed the nation on Friday afternoon to say all non-essential activities in venues such as cafes, restaurants, clubs and pubs would be subject to a new restriction of one person per four square metres.
Which means a room of 100 square metres would only be allowed to have 25. For smaller venues that could mean they will be forced to close.
Harbourfront Restaurant made more changes on Friday afternoon after already reducing its capacity by 40 per cent by removing many tables and chairs so people can sit more than two metres apart.
For owner Angelo Scioscia and his fiance Stefanie De Santis that was not the only decision they have been forced to make.
"We have decided to postpone our wedding and are accommodating many people wanting to reschedule weddings and things like that. We can really empathise with our customers," Ms De Santis said.
She said people were understanding of the changes they have already made.
"They are grateful we are taking the measures we are. People are being really open to it. We have the tables at least two metres apart. Lunches are still busy but many functions are being rescheduled. We are continually disinfecting and cleaning the restaurant".
"This afternoon (Friday) we have further reduced capacity in the restaurant to align to and meet the most recent changes of one person per 4m2. It is a tough time in business at the moment but we are doing what we can to flatten the curve".
On Thursday Ms De Santis said it is important to try and stay open because Mr Scioscia employs 60 people. "They each have bills to pay and mouths to feed so he needs to make sure the business stays strong for them. We are doing everything we can and we are getting great support from our loyal customers. This community is amazing".
Ms de Santis said it was challenging for the whole hospitality industry and hoped people would postpone functions rather than cancel them and buy vouchers as gifts for future use to help keep businesses alive.
At The Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow many decisions have been made in the last 48 hours.
General manager Greg Field said they are splitting the club into three stand alone sections - bistro, gaming floor and pizza restaurant.
"There will be no more than 100 people in each identifiable zone. We will have people counting who goes into where".
Mr Field said the club is so large social distancing won't be an issue..
"During this period profit is not our driving force. Our priority is to keep people employed".
The Frat also started a new drive-thru takeaway service on Thursday night.
"People can ring up, order their meal and don't even have to get out of their car," Mr Field said.
Bingo has been continuing as the club generally has around 50 people per session in a room that can hold 250.
"Clubs in general are quite well placed for social distancing because they are big venues. But our functions have taken quite a hit".
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