BUSINESSES across the region are implementing new measures to help slow the spread of coronavirus and protect their staff.
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Government-mandated measures such as digital and hard-copy registers of all visitors have been complemented with measures such as mandatory temperature checks.
CH Boutique Hotel is leading the way, recently introducing temperature checks in both its hotel and restaurant.
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Hotel owner and Tamworth Business Chamber president Jye Segboer said the health and safety of his staff and the community was a top priority.
"We are very lucky here in Tamworth that there are no active cases and no community transmission, but we can't afford to get complacent," Mr Segboer said.
"There are quite a few guidelines already in place for businesses, but at the end of the day, ensuring everyone is healthy is our top priority and that's why we implemented the temperature checks.
"As far as I know, we are the only place in Tamworth doing it and I have had quite a few other businesses touch base about the benefits of doing it too."
The CH Boutique Hotel's move comes after the union which represents retail workers called for city visitors to wear face masks when entering regional businesses.
SDA NSW secretary Bernie Smith said wearing face masks was pivotal to helping protect front-line workers.
"The bottom line is shoppers coming from the city to regional areas should be wearing masks before stepping into stores," Mr Smith said.
"A COVID-19 outbreak has the potential to seriously devastate regional towns.
"Not to mention that regional communities are still recovering from the bushfire crisis."
Tamworth mayor Col Murray said any business that decided to enforce a policy of customers wearing face masks would have his support.
"In regards to making face masks mandatory like they are in Victoria, I am a firm believer in following the guidelines set down by the proper health authorities," Cr Murray said.
"I think following those guidelines is the wisest thing we can do and making decisions based on unfounded beliefs is dangerous.
"However, any business that wants to make those sorts of changes is well within their rights to do so and it then comes down to the customer as to whether they want to go into that business."
The call for masks to be worn in businesses comes after a woman was dubbed "Bunnings Karen" on social media after a video of her refusing to wear a mask in Melbourne went viral.
Bunnings chief operating officer Deb Poole said the company was committed to putting the health and safety of its employees first.
"Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have put the welfare and care of our team and customers at the core of what we do," Ms Poole told the Leader.
"This includes following all state government health advice and directions in relation to face mask use for both our team and customers.
"We believe it's important that businesses that serve lots of customers, like ours, get behind these government requirements to help keep teams, customers and suppliers safe."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
