State government relaxes vaccination rules for staff in regional businesses

Business owners around the region had been wondering what would happen to their workers after October 11 if they had not been double-vaccinated, with the issue causing some to grow frustrated.

However, the rule has been relaxed for staff in regional local government areas, who will now only need to provide proof they have had one dose and a booking for a second.

Tamworth Business Chamber president Stephanie Cameron said it was a necessary move and will put the minds of a lot of business owners to rest.

"I've heard that they're concerned about whether they'll get all of their employees vaccinated in time before October 11," she said.

"And if there's going to be a little bit of a relaxation of the rule in the regions around having had the first shot and you can show you've had your booking for the second, then at least there's compromise there."

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Part of the reason people in rural areas had been calling for a change to the rule is because of the slower pace of the regional rollout of the vaccine.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the change was "great news for business".

He also said it was something many power brokers in regional NSW had been pushing for since the roadmap was first released.

With the state set to hit its 70 per cent double dosed target mid-week, fully vaccinated customers will be able to enjoy their new freedoms from next Monday.

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