MORE CERTAINTY FOR BUSINESS IN ROADMAP TO REOPENING
27 September 2021
The region’s peak business organisation, Business Illawarra, says today’s confirmation of the three phases of reopening for NSW is a positive step that will provide much needed certainty to Illawarra businesses.
The Government has announced rules which will determine what can and can’t happen as the population reaches 70 and 80 percent double vaccination rates, as well as when liberties apply to all residents, irrespective of vaccination status.
“It’s been an uncertain time for many local businesses with lots of confusion about which businesses will be able to open and under what rules,” said Business Illawarra Executive Director Adam Zarth.
“The release of the Public Health Orders in coming days will reconfirm that the onus will be on individuals to do the right thing and abide by the rules,” Mr Zarth said.
“Business owners can’t be expected to also act as security guards, so long as they have a COVIDSafe plan and appropriate registration in place at their entry, they can get on with the business of being in business.”
“The Premier has confirmed that 11 October is the day we will likely reopen at 70 percent double vaccination rate, which we are calling #backtobusiness day, because it will be a real celebration of being able to visit our favourite businesses again and to celebrate what we’ve missed over the past 95 days.”
“A number of greater freedoms will come into place at the 80 percent double vaccination rate, which on current trends could be as soon as 25 October.”
“Businesses will be able to operate under a one person per four square metre rule, with certain caps in place on numbers, depending on the type of industry and whether customers are gathering inside our outdoors.”
“That day will also see a number of major milestones, include the option of returning to the office for those who’ve been fully vaccinated.”
“It won’t be until 1 December that vaccination status is not a factor – meaning businesses will be able to operate under a one person per 2 square metre rule, as opposed to one person per 4 square metres up until then.”
“This is an important step for the business recovery in the Illawarra, as the state looks to bounce back as quickly as possible from the ravages of the pandemic,” Mr Zarth said.