BUSINESS HUNTER URGES RESPECT FOR BUSINESS

The region’s peak business organisation, Business Hunter is urging community members to embrace the State’s reopening to help our region’s economic recovery - safely and respectfully.

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Business Hunter CEO, Bob Hawes, welcomed the first staged return to trade from Monday 11 October and was looking forward to seeing people enjoy the Hunter for all it has to offer once again. He said he was confident businesses were ready and prepared to open in a way that supported the safety of their staff and clientele.

“With all of the opportunity that will be returned on Monday, there are going to be some hurdles for businesses and I just want to reinforce the Government’s message this morning to treat each other with kindness and respect,” Mr Hawes said

“We want to see businesses opening and staying open and the best way to do that is to follow the government’s roadmap as a business but also as a patron.

“I don’t want to see this scale of disruption or closure happen for a third year,” said Mr Hawes.

“Things might be a bit uncomfortable for some as we track towards 80 and 90 percent vaccination and enjoy state-wide opening for everyone post-December 1.

“Language will be important as we move through the phases of reopening – all on sides – so everyone be kind.

“If you’re unhappy about being asked to prove your vaccination status, just keep in mind that the rules weren’t created by the guy behind the bar, or the waitstaff checking you in, or the person on the phone confirming your reservation. They are doing their job and many of them haven’t worked in months.

“If you don’t have your proof of vaccination, don’t make your choice hard on staff. The rules have been created to protect all of us; the vaccinated and the unvaccinated – so everyone just needs to do their bit to help out businesses through recovery, regardless of your choice.”

Businesses and patrons are encouraged to adopt the #BacktoBusiness hashtag to help business promotion and excitement build as the region’s hardest hit sectors begin to open their doors.