Sydney restaurant fined $11,000 for COVID-19 breaches

A Sydney restaurant has been slapped with an $11,000 fine for breaching COVID-19 rules.

The courts have sent a strong message to the hospitality industry to ensure their businesses are COVID compliant after a Liverpool restaurant owner was fined $11,000 for failing to do so.

The Chennai Kitchen restaurant in Liverpool was found to have breached a number of COVID-19 regulations including failing to have a QR code or sign-in sheet for patrons, an out-of-date safety plan and a lack of spacing between customers.

Liquor & Gaming Director of Compliance Dimitri Argeres said the fine was a reminder to other businesses as the state looks forward to the long weekend.

“The $11,000 fine and conviction against the owner in this case is all because the restaurant failed to maintain COVID safety standards that are designed to protect the community they are working in,” Mr Argeres said.

The three-day weekend coincides with the state’s first weekend with virtually no COVID-19 restrictions for the majority of the state including no caps on private gathering and open dance floors in bars and clubs.

“The majority of clusters in NSW have centred around hospitality venues because of the ease with which the COVID virus can spread in enclosed indoor areas, so it is vital restaurants continue to stay COVID safe,” Mr Argeres said.

“There have been some changes and businesses must stay up-to-date.”