Restaurants, cafes and pubs will be able to accommodate up to 50 seated patrons from June 1, and the Deputy Premier believes gyms are soon to follow.

The much-anticipated easing of restrictions will still be subject to the one person per four square metre rule, and eateries won’t be able to take bookings of more than 10 people.

NSW Deputy Premier and Nationals leader John Barilaro told Ben Fordham the easing of restrictions is part of a bid to bring back thousands of jobs safely.

“I honestly believe this is worth 50,000 jobs… this is hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy and will give some pub owners… some hope that some level of normality is coming down the track.”

Mr Barilaro also claimed gym owners will likely be back in business “in the next month or so” once surface hygiene protocols have been established.

“We’re not talking September, no way in the world.

“I’m confident, if the industry plan is right, we’ll be able to make announcements around that.”

However, the Deputy Premier has warned against making “knee jerk reactions” and lifting restrictions too quickly.

“Every time we lift a restriction there’s about a ten-day lag before we get data to see if there’s been a spike in infections.”

Despite the slow process, Mr Barilaro is looking forward to getting back to some form of normality and enjoying a beer.

“You know the last couple of weeks I’ve had, mate I’ve been looking for a long lunch somewhere!”

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