Coronavirus restrictions: Canberra venues hope for increased capacity to recover losses in dire year

Pubs have welcomed the rules which would aid the return of a "summer vibe" and lessen pressure on staff, but said increased capacity was needed to capitalise on summer trade after a dire year.

From 9am on November 13, gatherings could increase to a maximum capacity of 500 people, provided they had a COVID-safe plan in place and abided by capacity restrictions.

ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman on Friday announced people in outdoor areas of pubs and restaurants would be allowed to stand up while eating and drinking, rather than having to be seated.

Patrons inside would still be required to remain seated.

Dr Coleman said there was a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission in outdoor spaces due to better ventilation.

"The change to allow eating and drinking while standing in outdoor spaces reflects the considerable evidence that outdoor spaces present a lower risk of transmission of COVID-19 compared to indoor spaces," she said.

Public Bar's Scott Barrie said the relaxation would take the pressure off staff but hoped to see a change to capacity restrictions at the next COVID checkpoint on November 27.

"We have still got to adhere to the two-square-metre rule but to take that burden off the staff to be constantly walking around asking people to please remain seated, that will definitely have a positive impact for us," he said.

The Manuka venue had been reduced to a third of its usual intake, but as customers were being turned away Mr Barrie had hoped indoor capacity restrictions would be further eased.

"It would be great if we could get on with it and businesses could start thriving again, because this is the prime time for [us] to try and recoup those losses that we've incurred throughout the year," he said.

Mr Barrie said revenue has dropped more than 30 per cent, and that Public was among many venues reliant on capturing booming summer trade.

"So if we're restricted to 30 per cent capacity, that's when we're going to see a major decrease in revenue and profit," he said.

"The really scary part is if they don't open it up for December and January, so that's what we're hanging on for."

Dr Coleman said a more detailed plan of the next steps would be released next week.

"We know businesses and the community more broadly want to know more about restrictions over summer and the festive season," she said.

"We are continuing to monitor and assess the COVID-19 situation and will release further detail on any further changes."

Dr Coleman urged Canberrans to take-up the ACT government's Check-In CBR app and flagged if the number of downloads plateaued she would consider making a QR code system compulsory in venues.

"It's very much about activities and business coming on board and collecting that data," she said.

"We've seen a couple of cases in NSW where the business has not done that and the contact tracing has been very stymied by that and has resulted in further unnecessary transmission.

"We'll be monitoring the compliance of businesses having some mechanism of recording patron's details very closely."