BUSINESSES across the region are bracing for an increase in trading thanks to travel restrictions being eased by the state government, but it's not all welcomes news.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the ban on regional travel would be lifted on June 1, giving businesses a chance to reopen.
Tamworth Business Chamber president Jye Segboer said the crucial element needed in addition to the state's announcement was the restrictions around patrons in restaurants should be eased simultaneously to allow for more guests.
"Obviously I think this is great news for accommodation operators but will also have a flow-on effect into the retail and hospitality sectors as well," Mr Segboer said.
"Businesses that have chosen to open already have done so because they were doing well in other areas such as take away, while the businesses that haven't opened have done that because they feel 10 is such a limited number.
"Hopefully from June 1 we will see more businesses take the opportunity to open, in particular those smaller bars and restaurants."
Read Also:
But the decision has not been welcomed in all sectors.
Moree mayor and NSW Country Mayors Association chairwoman Katrina Humphries slammed the government's decision because of a lack of consultation with communities.
"It's very frustrating because we can't cater for our locals as it is and we haven't been given any guidelines or a plan at all," Cr Humphries said.
"We can't really move around within ourselves yet, so why would we be embracing travellers?
"I have had no consultation about this opening up on June 1, despite us sending a letter to the government offering to help and and I chair the NSW Country Mayors Association."
Cr Humphries said she believed the easing of restrictions had "come a month to soon" and many people within her community were still concerned about the threat of coronavirus.
"We've protected our community and we have been really diligent with travel, obeyed the rules and now the Premier has basically said 'we are going to open the floodgates'," she said.
"In my opinion, we want to move forward but we are not ready for it and there hasn't been any guidelines surrounding it.
"This is policy on the run and we all know policy on the run, that hasn't been thought through, ends in tears."
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said he didn't share Cr Humphries' views and the move to lift travel restrictions was "to get the economy moving".
"I think that's a matter for Katrina," Mr Anderson said.
"What we've got to do is proceed with caution and welcome people back at the start of June to help get so many important parts of our economy going again."