"I'm so sorry to anyone this affects, I just wish life could go back to normal."
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The sentiment from Tempest Hair Design felt across Inverell as Monday's 'Freedom Day' restrictions kicked in.
Touted as the 'reopening of NSW', regional areas have instead taken a step back from the life enjoyed since our lockdown ended.
The Union Bar owner Sanjib Lamichhane said they were open for just one month before the second lockdown hit, and is very concerned over what further impact this will have on their fledging business.
READ ALSO
The Roadmap rules state those who have not been fully vaccinated, and don't have an exemption, will be barred from entering all non-essential businesses - as though they were in a hard lockdown again.
Mr Lamichhane has already had one case of loosing a large booking because one person was not fully vaccinated.
Only half-vaccinated people under 16 can enter if they're accompanied by a fully vaccinated member of their household.
"It is a really hard time for us, and we have seen the loss of business since Monday," he said.
"But everyone is being honest and we are checking, there has been no dramas with that. And we need to do whatever we can to survive and not get locked down."
Tempest Hair Salon owner Sarah Graham said they had "no choice" but to "abide by the government's rules", and asked for understanding until December hit and all were welcome again.
"I'm left without a choice and we have to abide by government rules," Ms Graham said. The can only provide services to fully vaccinated clients until Wednesday December 1.
Mr Lamichhane was thankful that his staff had until November 1 to be receive their second vaccination, as all were already one dose down.
"These rules make it extremely hard on everyone but unfortunately we need to abide by them otherwise we face huge fines as a business," Ms Graham added.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark inverelltimes.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @inverelltimes
- Follow us on Instagram @inverelltimes
- Follow us on Google News