As NSW authorities set their sights on licensed premises across the state amid the second COVID-19 outbreak, Wollongong venues are stepping up their health measures.
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Beer and burger bar His Boy Elroy says all patrons will now have their temperature checked on entry - with people with high temperatures getting "the boot".
However, according to a post of Facebook, if your temperature test land on a daily chosen temperature - for instance, on Monday the chosen temp was 36.4 - the venue is offering a free beer.
"In light of the increasing amount of patrons at pubs and clubs around the state testing positive for COVID, we are now asking guests to have their temperatures checked when popping in for a feed," His Boy announced on Facebook. "We don't want to be 'that venue', we hope y'all can understand."
With pubs and clubs in the spotlight over recent days, and several premises now the focus of police investigations amid a growing outbreak of coronavirus, business owner Lachlan Stevens said he felt he needed to be doing everything possible to put in place a strong COVID-19 plan.
"We thought the idea of having your temperature tested was a little invasive, and it maybe makes people feel a little uncomfortable, so we wanted to inject a little fun into it and make it a bit of a game," he said.
"But, we might be making light of it, but we're very serious about our actions, and our social responsibility.
"It's about is being proactive and also preparing for the possibility that we'll be facing a full shut down again soon."
Mr Stevens said he had been spurred on by his neighbours at The Illawarra hotel, who have been doing temperature testing for several weeks.
There, manager Ryan Aitchison said he had turned a number of patrons away when they returned higher temperature readings.
"We wanted to be proactive, we could see what was happening elsewhere, and we wanted to act as though it could happen at any time in the Illawarra," he said.
"By the time someone works into your venues with covid the horse has bolted."
He said it was "tough" to turn away customers at a time when businesses were already struggling but that "I would hate to live with myself knowing I could have done more".
"Hopefully other venues take note," Mr Aitchison said.
Because if we don't protect people from potentially spreading it within our venues, we are also letting down other venues nearby."
With the continuing Crossroads Hotel outbreak in Casula - and a number of other venues fined for flouting social distancing advice, police have reminded businesses and the wider community of their responsibilities under the current Public Health Order legislation.
Police said a licensed premises was forced to close in the Jindabyne forced to close on Saturday after failing to comply with its obligations on several separate occasions.
Officers from Monaro Police District attended the premises multiple times, issuing three formal warnings relating to intoxication levels and public health and safety issues.
On Saturday evening, officers again attended the premises and forced closure under Section 22 of the Liquor Act, due to further breaches.
The premises will remain closed for a 72-hour period and further infringement action is likely.
In addition, several licensed premises in Sydney remain under investigation for not complying with ministerial directions, and police have not ruled out further enforcement action.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said he couldn't fathom the actions of some businesses and individuals.
"I am flabbergasted to see people flouting the rules at this critical time," Mr Elliott said.
"The recent images we have seen of mass gathering and social distancing rules being blatantly ignored are disturbing. I want to commend the Police Force, who are diligently investigating any person or business that has broken these laws.
"The message remains clear, businesses and individuals will be fined and held to account for irresponsible and illegal behaviour that puts the whole community at risk," Mr Elliott said.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke said the disregard for the Public Health Orders by a small section of the community was disappointing.
"One of the biggest allies of COVID-19 is complacency within the community," he said.
"Police will continue to enforce all ministerial directions in order to protect our health and wellbeing, but we do rely on community support and compliance.
"I would again appeal to those who think the rules don't apply to them to change their attitude.
"We have worked hard as a community to get where we are, and we need to continue to work together to ensure we avoid another outbreak."
The maximum penalty for contravening a Public Health Order is a fine of up to $11,000 and/or six months imprisonment.
The standard penalty will be a fine by way of an on-the-spot Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) - $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
