THE EASTER long weekend is going to look a bit different this year as the world navigates the COVID-19 pandemic.
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It means business trading hours and the services you can access from Good Friday to Easter Monday might not be what you're used to, or were expecting for the weekend.
Supermarkets
One of the big changes is that some large local supermarkets will be open on Good Friday in 2020.
Coles and Woolworths supermarkets in the Tamworth area will be open for business on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week, but with "special hours".
Coles supermarkets in South Tamworth and North Tamworth will be open on Friday from 11am to 5pm; Saturday from 7am to 10pm; and Sunday from 9am to 6pm.
From Monday, these local stores will resume normal trading hours, opening the doors from 7am to 10pm on Monday.
The Woolworths store at Tamworth Eastpoint will be open on Friday from 11am to 5pm; Saturday from 7am to 10pm; Sunday 9am to 6pm; and Monday 8am to 8pm.
Woolworths at Tamworth Shoppingworld is slightly different - it follows the same trading hours for Friday, Sunday and Monday but the store will only be open on Saturday from 8am to 9pm.
These stores will resume normal trading on Tuesday.
Tamworth's Aldi store in Centrepoint has temporarily extended their opening hours from 8:30am to 7pm amid the coronavirus pandemic, beginning this week, but the store will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Bottle shops
Local alcohol shops like Dan Murphy's and BWS will be closed, as usual for this time of year, on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
A special, temporary regulation has been introduced by NSW Fair Trading and Liquor and Gaming NSW to allow local pubs, clubs and bars to serve takeaway alcohol on Good Friday.
Authorities have said that on Good Friday, these businesses with liquor licences can sell takeaway alcohol with meals between 12pm and 10pm.
Chemists
People will be able to access pharmacies over the upcoming long weekend.
Some smaller pharmacies in the Tamworth CBD have varied operating hours.
Tamworth's Chemist Warehouse on Peel Street near Spotlight will be open on Friday 9am to 4pm; Saturday 9am to 5pm; and Sunday and Monday from 9am to 4pm.
Chemist Warehouse in the Tamworth CBD will follow the same trading hours, but will be closed on Good Friday.
Petrol stations
Most petrol stations operate as normal over Easter, but it's best to check each outlet.
Small business and takeaway options
Other local Tamworth businesses are adjusting their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and are offering anything from seafood platters to produce boxes to Easter picnic baskets this week.
Some coffee shops will open in and around the Tamworth CBD, but with varying hours for the public holidays.
NSW Fair Trading and Liquor and Gaming NSW have confirmed that under a new and temporary regulation, local clubs, pubs, cafes and restaurants will be allowed to sell takeaway food on Good Friday to help those businesses impacted by COVID-19.
For a full and comprehensive list of all the different essential business still open in town and what they're offering, visit the Tamworth Regional Council's trading directory.
Eateries and takeaway cafes can be found at the We Love It site, and the Leader's Open for Business directory has an extensive list of local stores and their trading hours.
Social distancing
All shops and supermarkets have social distancing measures in place in the wake of public health orders and ministerial orders from the federal and state governments.
Camping grounds and playgrounds in the Tamworth Regional Council area are closed to the public, and social distancing rules apply when using public places, spaces and parks.
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