THIS Easter long weekend is set to be unique as supermarkets have been given the green light to operate on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
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NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson confirmed supermarkets could continue trade during the long weekend, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"What we want to try and do is allow people to still go about their business when they need to with shopping and essential items over the Easter period," Mr Anderson said.
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"Exemptions have been given to supermarkets to allow them to stay open for that to happen.
"However, our message remains the same.
"If you don't have to leave your home for an essential reason you should remain at home."
The exemptions come as Mr Anderson heaped praise on locals for following social distancing guidelines, which have helped the region go more than a week without any new cases of coronavirus.
"Basically, our message is to keep up the good work," Mr Anderson said.
"However, it is crucial we don't become complacent, to maintain social distancing and adhere to the rules and regulations around the restrictions of movements.
"We are seeing our numbers stabilise and that's a good thing because of the work being done.
"We can't stress enough that we need to double down."
Tamworth mayor Col Murray echoed Mr Anderson's call, urging residents to stay at home during the long weekend.
"This Easter is an Easter that is different, it is like no other Easter we've ever experienced before," Cr Murray said.
"We are asking people to stay at home and please think about the seriousness of potentially having friends and relatives visit from other areas.
"Tamworth has got some pretty enviable statistics now and we all need to do our bit to keep the contact as low as possible."