THE region's pubs have welcomed the state government's most recent easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
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From Friday, venues will be able to double their capacity in outdoor areas, with restrictions going from one person per four square metres to one person per two square metres.
Long-standing rules such as patrons remaining seated will remain and only businesses operating with an electronic QR Code will be allowed to capitilise on the new guidelines.
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Kootingal Hotel manager Harry Gaffney said the timing of the eased restrictions "couldn't be better".
"It's good for us, but we aren't too big a hotel, so it won't have too major an impact," Mr Gaffney said.
"I think the big thing from this will be the mentality of locals who may have been a bit nervous to come.
"The easing of these restrictions make it easier for people to come and should hopefully put people at ease about potentially not getting in, or getting a table and that kind of thing.
"The weather is starting to warm up and people are wanting to go outside, so really this is perfect."
Despite many pubs rejoicing over the government's decision, other venues without outdoor areas will have to continue to adhere to the one person per four square metre rule.
South Tamworth Bowling Club chief executive officer Owen Walker said while it was "a step in the right direction" it would not have much of an impact on his venue.
"Unfortunately for us most of our outdoor areas are taken up by bowling greens and carparks," Mr Walker said.
"However, it is really positive to see things are starting to change for the better and get back to some sort of normality.
"Nobody wants to be the bad cop at a venue, telling people to sit down and so on, so these eased restrictions should hopefully help everyone from patrons to staff."
Mr Walker said he expected venues to try and capitilise on the new guidelines.
"I fully expect those that have the facilities to make the most of it with promotions and that kind of thing," he said.
"I think the bigger places will 100 per cent be keen to take advantage of these new guidelines."
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the changes would make a "huge difference" to state.
"[This] will make a huge difference to the economy and a huge difference to the ambience of NSW," Mr Hazzard said.
"We can now have - similar to what we've had with sport - up to 500 people outside enjoying their music, playing instruments and singing."