Talk Around Town: The New COVID-19 Check in Rules

As of Monday, 11th October, the NSW Government enabled businesses deemed non-essential to open to those who are double-vaccinated. It also required that double vaccinated people show their certificates of vaccination to workers in non-essential businesses.

This has meant that some residents can’t enter pubs, clubs, restaurants, non-essential retail and services venues or Council services due to the new rules. Those with only one vaccine shot, or less, can access non-essential businesses.

An expedition around Yass on Friday showed that shop owners, managers and retail assistants are on the brunt of the new rules. At one café, business had been impacted, but the café workers were accepting of their new rule as policers of the vaccination status of patrons. The worker at a charity shop said that most people were respectful of the new rules, but they have experienced disappointment on behalf of some customers, and one occasion a man became very angry about the new rules, shouted at staff and slammed the door on his way out of the shop.

A bank teller (banks are deemed essential services and are open to all) said there had been confusion on behalf of customers of what is/isn’t considered an essential service. She said that older people in particular are having trouble with the new rules, especially around proof of vaccination status.

A worker at a hardware store (hardware stores are also deemed essential services and are open to all), told the story of his own efforts to add his digital vaccination certificate to the Service NSW app. He said he experienced IT issues and then a long wait on a phone to get assistance. Unfortunately, after he reached the call centre his call dropped out, and he had to call again, only to be put on hold a second time. Sadly, his second phone call also dropped out after he spoke to a service officer, however, this time she rang him back and they were able to rectify his digital certificate issue. We reckon this man deserves an award for patience and persistence. We can only imagine what Service NSW staff are going through right now.

The following are links to useful information:

• Rules for people who are not fully vaccinated | NSW Government
• Rules for fully vaccinated people in NSW | NSW Government
• Adding proof of your COVID-19 vaccination to the Service NSW app | NSW Government

• Topics:

• Covid-19
• Vaccination
• Local Business / Economy