Business NSW Central Coast is calling on business owners, their employees and customers to share how they are planning to celebrate the re-opening of their favourite businesses in the region when the state reaches the 70 per cent double-vaccination target, expected to be on October 11.
“We are on track to reach the 70 per cent double vaccination milestone quicker than expected, thanks to the NSW community’s strong participation in the push to reopen,” Regional Director, Paula Martin, said.
“We have named reopening day ‘back-to-business day’ because that’s what it is for hundreds of thousands of business owners and their employees across our state.
“We’d love people to use the hashtag #backtobusiness in their social media posts from today, to share with us how they are going to celebrate on the day.
“Business owners may want to share what they’ve missed most, how they will re-engage with their customers.
“It might be through some opening week specials, buy-one-get-one free offers, or simply decorating their stores and building that party atmosphere.
“We’d like customers to share how they’ll support their local business when it reopens.
“Many people are already talking about ‘paying it forward’ so their local business can have some much-needed cashflow.
“The support we have seen so far for our local businesses has been overwhelming.”
Martin said the #backtobusiness campaign is about celebrating businesses across the Central Coast that have been decimated by the lockdowns – and showing the gratitude, strength and resilience of the community.
“I expect #backtobusiness day will be a real celebration, done in a COVID-safe way,” she said.
“I would love to see Central Coast Council dress up our town centres, as I expect cafes, restaurants, shopping centres and hotels will be very busy.
“This has been four months of uncertainty and difficulty for many business owners and their employees.
“This is our opportunity to show our support and celebrate our local businesses getting #backtobusiness.”
Martin said confirmation of the three phases of reopening for NSW from Premier Gladys Berejiklian on September 27 was a positive step that will provide much needed certainty to business.
“The Government has announced rules which will determine what can and can’t happen as the population reaches 70 and 80 per cent double vaccination rates, as well as when liberties apply to all residents, irrespective of vaccination status,” Martin said.
“It’s been an uncertain time for many businesses with lots of confusion about which businesses will be able to open and under what rules.
“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.
“Business owners can’t be expected to also act as security guards; so long as they have a COVID-safe plan and appropriate registration in place at their entry, they can get on with the business of being in business.
“A number of greater freedoms will come into place at the 80 per cent double vaccination rate, which on current trends could be as soon as October 25.”
Terry Collins