ALLOWING Riverlanders to again dance in hospitality venues has brought back a source of social interaction, according to a local hotel manager.
Riverlanders attending hotels and clubs across the region were able to return to dancefloors last weekend, following the easing of some restrictions related to COVID-19 from midnight Saturday.
Renmark Hotel general manager Darren Baker said attendees had been eager to see restrictions on dancing lifted.
“People have definitely been looking forward to it and it’s something everyone wants to come and do,” Mr Baker said.
“It might not have a great deal of (economic) impact for us, but it’s more social interaction for people to enjoy when they come to the pub.
“It’s very positive from my point of view.”
Current COVID-19 restrictions permit dancing – with measures such as QR codes – at venues with less than 200 people, while only 50 people are allowed on the dancefloor at a time for venues with between 200 and 1000 people.
Mr Baker said live music featuring at the hotel on Saturday nights would provide encouragement for customers to dance.
“That’s where we’re drumming interest toward,” he said, “and that goes hand-in-hand with having dancing back.”