Thursday 9 September 2021
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has strongly welcomed the NSW Government's Covid recovery roadmap, which provides hope and greater certainty for businesses who are battling through their longest lockdown of the pandemic.
ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the roadmap follows significant ARA and industry collaboration and is a huge relief for retailers, in particular for hair and beauty salons and small businesses, who can look forward to welcoming back customers once 70% of the NSW population is fully vaccinated. The ARA also welcomed the release of many regional NSW businesses from lockdown restrictions, from Saturday, 11 September.
"As well all know, the NSW lockdown is taking a significant toll on peoples financial, emotional and mental health, which is clearly not sustainable. At last, people and businesses have hope for the future and a clearer idea of what life will look like after lockdown. Importantly, some regional NSW businesses will have an immediate reprieve from lockdown restrictions," Mr Zahra said.
"Whilst we don't have a specific date, NSW is tracking well for 70% of the population to be fully vaccinated by mid-October. This will allow many businesses to plan with a greater degree of certainty and for a reopening of their premises in line with Covid-safe protocols.
"We appreciate this has been an incredibly difficult time for the small business community in particular, but there is hope on the horizon and today's roadmap is a welcome relief.
"The timing for reopening is incredibly important as we head into the busy Christmas shopping season, when most discretionary retailers make up to two-thirds of their profits for the year.
"Domestic travel to regional NSW will also be allowed under the reopening plan, which will provide a much-needed boost to regional businesses and tourism operators who've been severely impacted by the stay-at-home orders in Greater Sydney that have been in place for nearly three months.
"Whilst there are still important details to be ironed out around how proof of vaccination will work and be enforced under the existing QR code check-in system, we look forward to continuing those discussions with the NSW Government to ensure we can manage a safe reopening."
