Hospitality, entertainment want certainty after Premier’s ‘assurance’ to construction sector - Sydney Morning Herald

NSW’s hospitality and entertainment sectors are pleading for certainty about when they can reopen after Premier Gladys Berejiklian assured the construction industry that it would reopen on July 31.

The Premier on Tuesday gave her strongest commitment yet to any sector about ending strict lockdown conditions, when she told the construction industry they could expect to be operational next Saturday.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian gave an assurance to the construction industry that it could reopen on July 31.Credit:Janie Barrett.

The same assurance has not been given to schools, nor the hospitality sector, with industry leaders insisting they also need certainty about reopening to help keep businesses afloat.

Restaurant and Catering Australia chief executive officer Wes Lambert said the assurance to the construction sector was a good sign but that hospitality businesses needed the same confidence.

“What is good for construction surely is good for other sectors as well,” he said.

The Premier on Tuesday was also pressed on whether she could give a similar reopening commitment to schools but said she would await health advice.

“Obviously our priorities are getting the construction sector back on its feet as quickly as possible but obviously with schools, face-to-face learning is great for the students and it’s also great for the parents,” Ms Berejiklian said.