Coronavirus and social distancing: Pubs brace for knock-on effect

First the bushfires ravaged the region, choking the city in smoke for weeks on end.

When the smoke dissipated, Canberra was smashed by a freak hailstorm which caused widespread damage.

Now the coronavirus could be the final nail in the coffin.

As Australians start to practice social distancing in order to "flatten the curve" and prevent the virus spreading so fast it overwhelms our healthcare system, what happens to the places where we traditionally gather?

As we're urged to stop shaking hands and stay 1.5 metres away from each other; as mass gatherings of more than 500 people are cancelled and social sport canned, where can we find connection?

Australian Hotels Association ACT general manager Anthony Brierley said many pubs were facing a "dire" situation - especially if the federal government followed France, Spain and Italy and instituted widespread lockdowns.

"It's been one hell of a year. There's been a huge downturn in trade and margins are slim," Mr Brierley said.

"The impact of losing summer and now losing autumn is going to be severe.

"The number of doors that will close if this goes into June is massive."

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George Harcourt Inn publican Josh Leemhuis said they had seen the worst downturn in trade since 1983.

A christening this week booked for 100 had only 35 people show up.

He's worried his Untapped festival - which had to be postponed from February to October due to the smoke - may not happen if COVID-19 hangs around that long.

On top of that, someone cleaned him out of toilet paper two weeks ago - 15 commercial-sized rolls were stolen.

He blames the confusing public health messaging that's been put out by different levels of government.

But it's not just his hip-pocket that takes a hit when beer sales dive.

Mr Leemhuis estimated the downturn in trade to The George and his second pub Casey Jones affects 400 families - from its cleaners, to its suppliers, to live performers and the charities they support.

He employs nearly 90 staff between the two venues. For every $10 spent there, he says about $3 goes to staff wages, $3 to supplies, $3.50 on tax, insurance and rent, with 50 cents of profit.

And while some Canberra businesses are branching out into UberEats as the virus hits, places like The George - where the atmosphere is just as much a part of the experience as the bangers and mash - can't.

"I think if most hospitality businesses couldn't trade for four weeks, it would be the end of 75 per cent of us," Mr Leemhuis said.

Old Canberra Inn publican Ben Johnston has not seen a downturn in trade but said that could change this week.

"Some styles of venues are hit harder than others. We're really spread out, with lots of outdoor areas," he said.

"You can sort of detect a bit of fear though, which can be contagious."

Mr Leemhuis' message? Support local businesses where you can and where it is safe to do so.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said on Sunday most Australians could still enjoy social activities such as the movies or the gym, so long as they practiced good hygiene and stayed home if they were unwell (those aged over 70 or with chronic conditions were urged to be more cautious).

Canberrans have heard Mr Leemhuis' message, it appears. After he made a plea on Facebook, Mr Leemhuis was called into work to help staff run off their feet with a roaring trade - their best for ages.

But please, don't steal the toilet paper. No one needs 15 commercial-sized rolls of toilet paper.

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