Restrictions in NSW pubs are changing frequently due to the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, but fortunately it hasn't had a massive impact on pubs in Armidale.
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For Armidale's Royal Hotel, they haven't had to change much about their daily operations other than the extra staff required due to the new rules.
"It's just a lot of extra manpower involved in having staff on the floor making sure patrons are complying, all being seated while drinking, making sure they're social distancing, plus the fact that we've got to have a separate marshall on the floor policing that," Royal Hotel manager Nardie Gream said.
"In terms of getting the staff power, hiring people; it's a bit of a challenge. Manpower is a bit of a struggle at the moment."
They have been forced to cancel some bookings that were over 10 people, but Mrs Gream said people mostly been understanding about the restrictions in place.
"There's no one that's really had an issue, as soon as you're reminding them they're fine," she said.
"I think it's pretty well publicised. I think they understand that it's out of our control."
It's been a similar situation at the Railway Hotel, according to owner Charlie Redman.
They have had to have more staff on, but with the limit at 300 people it's almost back to normal.
"Absolutely there has to be more staff on for all the COVID requirements like cleaning, hygiene and all that," Mr Redman said.
Cutting the maximum bookings back to 10 people has had a bit of an impact for groups, but otherwise it hasn't been too bad.
Mr Redman said their lunches have been more busy than before COVID-19.
"A lot of people have been coming back," he said.
"I think they've wanted to come back in, have their beer on tap, have some good food.
"We're doing all the right things. We're happy, we've got good clientele, they're not giving us a hard time. We've traded out of it pretty good."
At the Whitebull Hotel, it's been a case of people getting used to the changes but otherwise there hasn't been too much of an impact.
The new digital sign in has come with some challenges for some patrons.
"The digital sign in is making it a little bit more difficult with people getting used to the technology...but the more they're using it the quicker they're getting used to it," Whitebull Hotel manager Ben Gurr said.
For the most part, Mr Gurr said patrons have been understanding, but there are still some people who struggle to follow the rules.
"Some people understand what's going on and are very compliant, other people are a bit complacent or don't really care to be truthful," he said.
"It's up to us to make sure they're doing the right thing and it's just what we've got to do to be open.
"There's also a degree of personal responsibility in people knowing what the rules are and actually doing it rather than being told."
It's been almost back to normal for The Welder's Dog, as they haven't had to make many changes.
Co-owner Tom Croft said the new rules haven't affected their operations as they're not a pub.
They've had to make some changes to the layout of the venue to help with social distancing, but otherwise there hasn't been much impact as they don't take bookings.
"Our patrons have been really good," Mr Croft said.
Everyone understands it I think. Only the rare person would get annoyed that they have to stay seated or that sort of thing.
"I think everyone has been really reasonable. Everyone understands, everyone is polite.
"It was a bit of an unknown when things opened back up but since then it's been quite good."
The Welder's Dog will also be continuing their bunker boxes that they started back in March when they first closed down.
