Freedom Day: Crowds leave retail and hospo workers fed up

While most of NSW raced out to enjoy day one of freedom on Monday, hospitality and retail workers have shared their less than enthusiastic responses about the task ahead.

Shoppers, punters and diners have hit venues and businesses to splash cash after 100 days in lockdown but staff manning the frontline have provided mixed reviews on the Freedom Day rush.

NSW‘s first day out of lockdown meant fully vaccinated people were free to shop instore and dine in at venues for the first time in months, but retail and hospitality workers were bracing for a tough day today, taking to social media to share their thoughts.

“Been at work for 2 hours and I‘ve already had enough … this close to a mental breakdown and it’s only day 1 of reopening,” one retail worker wrote on Twitter.

Retail workers shared their experience fronting crowds of people on day one of lockdown freedom in NSW. Picture: Twitter

“People have already been turned away for not being able to provide proof of vaccination … Everyone I‘ve dealt with this morning has been patient and nice but I can feel the frustration will rise through the day.”

Another Twitter user wrote: “”I am not ready for Sydney reopening it‘s so busy in the centre I hate this.”

Following scenes overnight of shoppers crowding into Sydney Kmart stores at midnight due to the chain‘s Freedom Day sales, other retail workers also shared their apprehension about policing the new restrictions and dealing with potential anti-vaxxer customers on Monday morning.

Businesses have the responsibility to make sure every customer who enters their premises is fully vaccinated, with proof of a vaccination certificate needed alongside the standard QR check-in for entry.

Some hospitality workers took to TikTok to share their concerns about working on Freedom Day. Picture: TikTok

“I work at Kmart and I am NOT excited,” one young worker wrote online.

“I work mostly as a customer greeter, I‘m terrified.”

“I have to work there today and I really don‘t want to,” another Kmart employee added.

Hospitality workers also hopped on-board the trend.

“Me after accepting a nearly 9hr shift on Freedom Day realising I‘m about to be abused by anti-vaxxers,” a Sydney barista posted on TikTok.

But not every worker shared the same sentiment, with some jumping for joy to get back to the daily grind.

“Out of Sydney lockdown and my first day at work at The Star (casino) literally my first day!!! So nervous yet SO EXCITED,“ a Twitter user wrote.

“Celebrating freedom day by cutting 30 minutes off my commute because the trains are back to normal … the joys of the essential job,” another wrote.

Other frontline workers were stoked to get back to work after months in lockdown. Picture: Twitter

It comes as the NSW Premier reminded shoppers and diners to treat frontline workers with respect as businesses got back into the swing of things today.

“There‘s no doubt there will be teething issues, there will be many young people pulling beers today, serving tables at restaurants and cafes, who will be doing this for the first time and adjusting to a new system,” Dominic Perrottet said.

“So please be patient and look out for them.”