It's pretty safe to say our local business people didn't anticipate a pandemic and the changes that COVID-19 has demanded of them when they started up.
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In the past 18 months they have shown their commitment to our community with the many adaptions they've made to stay in business: hospitality services have shifted to takeaway; retail has gone online with click and collect.
Now they're facing another big change, and they're appealing for our understanding and support as they navigate the coming weeks.
With NSW anticipated to reach a 70 per cent vaccination rate as of Monday, October 11, a new set of rules comes into place.
Restrictions now only ease for those who have had both doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and that means the rules might actually tighten for some Forbes residents given we have been out of lockdown for a couple of weeks now.
Eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to:
- have five visitors in your home
- access gyms, indoor recreation and sporting facilities
- visit hospitality settings with up to 20 people per booking.
All premises will operate at one person per four square metres indoors and one person per two square metres outdoors.
People under the age of 16 who are not fully vaccinated are allowed unaccompanied in their workplaces and all outdoor settings, but must be with a fully vaccinated member of their household in hospitality venues (unless collecting takeaways), entertainment facilities, major recreation facilities and places of worship.
Further details are online on the NSW Government website - https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions/70-percent
Vicki Seccombe, Regional Manager - Western NSW, Business NSW, says it's a nervous time for businesses.
"It's important to remember that businesses haven't created the rules, but they will be doing their part for re-opening by ensuring they follow the guidelines," she said.
"We ask the community to do their part as well by being understanding, kind to those asking you to check-in correctly and start to get organised for Monday 11.
"Now is the time to understand what the new guidelines are, accessing your Covid-19 digital certificate and downloading the Service NSW app when it is updated to manage the digital certificates.
"For those who have medical reason for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, you will need to speak to your medical practitioner about getting your medical contraindication added to your immunisation history."
Vandenberg Hotel owner Grant Clifton is appealing for community understanding that these measures are ones they are complying with themselves.
"Please be considerate, these are not our rules we are just upholding them - we have to be careful on our part," he said.
"It's been a long journey and a hard journey (for local businesses) but there is light at the end of the tunnel."
Mayor Phyllis Miller echoes those sentiments.
She's celebrating that 90 per cent of the eligible local population had now had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and urges people to make sure they get their second dose.
And as we face these coming weeks, be aware it's not our local businesses who are trying to distinguish between the vaccinated and unvaccinated.
"I'm really proud that our community has realised that the only way out of this is to get vaccinated, but don't leave it at first jab ... please go back for your second one," she said.
"The health rules as of Monday the 11th there'll be new rules that segregate between double-vaxxed and not vaccinated, so just be kind.
"It isn't our shops or our restaurants' rules, it is our government's rules to protect everyone."
A statement from NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard explains that businesses will be "responsible for taking reasonable measure to stop unvaccinated people entering premises".
For example, having signs stating requirements, Service NSW QR codes, staff checking vaccination status upon entry and only accepting valid forms of evidence of vaccination.
But Member for Orange Philip Donato is asking community members to take responsibility for ensuring they're complying with the regulations - rather than asking our business people to police them.
"There has to be an element of personal responsibility to do the right thing," he said.
Remember the situation changes frequently and the restrictions on the unvaccinated aren't forever. Under the NSW Government's roadmap, this is only a transition period.
"If the current roadmap stays the same it's only a couple of weeks until we reach 80 per cent and then December 1 is basically opening up," Mr Donato said.
"Be patient and and respectful."
Restrictions will ease further when the State reaches the 80 per cent mark, with one key marker that fully vaccinated people can participate in community sport, and then 90 per cent where the restrictions on unvaccinated people will also ease.
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