The pub manager said it has been welcome relief to serve customers a beer and a sit-down meal.

"People have been really grateful. I just got a table booking and I asked if they were coming to watch the footy and they said 'no, I just miss the cutlets'," he said.

"They miss their parmi, they miss their good schnitzels because when you have to cook every night or just rely on fast food takeaway it's pretty tough."

At the moment, the Royal is allowed to hold as many as one person per four square metres.

While this could limit a normal day's trade, Mr Isbester has said being allowed to have any customers at all is welcome.

"We've certainly been busy everyday. It's been great," he said.

"With the novelty of reopening, one in four has been enough space for everyone to enjoy themselves and get out and about.

"People are used to masks now, they're used to sanitising and checking in with the QR code so that's all become the new normal. The numbers are fantastic that we are seeing through the door."

And while the pub itself was closed for a few months, the Liquor Stax next door - which is also run by the Royal - continued to operate.

"It wasn't more business, but we certainly didn't lose any business," the pub manager said of the bottle shop during lockdown.

"We have a contactless service there so we could put it in the car and take the money so they don't have to come into the shop, so it's been a really popular spot. I think all the home-schooling people have appreciated being able to get a drink."

With businesses now acting as de facto security, with people required to sign in and mask up before entering, you could imagine there would be some who would try to evade the rules.

But for the most part, Mr Isbester said patrons have been more than happy to comply.

"Initially right at the start it was a little bit of a hassle, but now people are used to the QR codes," he added.

"There's the odd person that needs to sign in manually but we're managing that. I think everyone understands what the government is trying to do and I think we're grateful that they have a tracking system that they can keep everyone safe, get people tested, isolate and get on with their lives.

"Reopening in the spring was good as it's always a busy time in the pub, the weather is good and the days are long now with daylight savings has come back in, but any time is a good time to be open.

"We're just happy to be open, happy to be serving people so they can enjoy the gaming, food and beverage."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: