Coronavirus: ‘We’re open for business … and it is a great day’

NSW has declared itself open for business as it leads the nation out of lockdown.

NSW has declared itself open for business as it leads the nation out of lockdown, with Premier Dom­inic Perrottet thanking the people of the state and urging Victorians to view the reopening as “a ­beacon of hope”.

“I say to everyone today in NSW, you have earned it, enjoy it, it’s a great day, it’s a day we should all be pleased at arriving at,” said Mr Perrottet, as he sat down for an overdue haircut on Monday.

“It is a freedom day; businesses are opening up … what is most important is for the first time in a long time, people are getting the opportunity to go back to work.”

In a further sign that restrictions are on the way out, Australia’s richest horse race is set to double its crowd after event organisers successfully sought an exemption from NSW Health.

The Everest, which takes place at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Saturday, will welcome 10,000 visitors, double that of the initial 5000 permitted, subject to a final decision on Wednesday.

Sydneysiders enjoy a drink at the Mercantile Hotel in The Rocks on Monday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Despite an overcast day, ­Sydneysiders turned out in ­numbers on Monday to take ­advantage of the end of stay-at-home restrictions to shop, have a drink and catch up with friends they haven’t seen in three months.

The fully vaccinated can now share meals in cafes, return to cinemas and welcome up to 10 guests into their home. Indoor swimming pools reopened; hairdressers, beauty parlours and gyms can welcome patrons in limited capacities.

On Monday, Robbie Bugo opened the doors of Pure Results Personal Training, the gym he’s owned and operated for the past 12 years in southwest Sydney, to the fully vaccinated this morning.

He said it was a tricky “bal­ancing act” managing clients who are for and against mandatory vaccination.

NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole, left, and Premier Dominic Perrottet share a beer at Watson’s EQ in inner-city Moore Park on Monday. Picture: Adam Yip

One client, 25-year-old Selina Barakat, a dental practice manager from Condell Park, had her second Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday only because she didn’t want to lose her job.

She said the ability to go to a gym on day one of being vaccinated was a welcome stress relief.

“I think at some point we have to live with it. It’s never going to go away,” Ms Barakat said.

“There’s been diseases and sicknesses far worse than Covid that we’ve lived through.

“I think more people will end up dying and suffering with depression and ­anxiety if we keep going like this.”

Many restaurants around Sydney were closed on Monday but are scheduled to open over the next week, with some booked out weeks ahead.

Chief executive of the Restaurants and Catering Association Wes Lambert said some hospitality venues hadn’t opened simply because of the bad weather and because Monday was not traditionally a busy dining day.

A woman gets her hair styled at a salon near the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Monday. Picture: AFP

“As the week continues and the weather improves, we expect things will certainly come roaring back.

“We expect the overwhelming majority will trade in this opening week.”

For Sydney cafe owner Marilyn Nohra, freedom day was “just like Christmas.”

As her regular customers milled into Thelma and Louise on Neutral Bay wharf, she greeted each one with a masked smile and, occasionally, a hug.

“Today isn’t about making money, it’s about the community,” Ms Nohra said.

“The community is what is so important in this business, so it’s just great to have everyone back.”

Emerald Hoang, Tony Lam and Brendan Ngo bite into a burger at Five Guys in Penrith, western Sydney, on Monday. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Sydney’s CBD was relatively quiet, with most office workers not expected to go back to the office until December, but foot traffic increased as groups of excited shoppers went out to spend some of their lockdown savings.

Jacqui Lade and Kara Mansfield have been working next door to each other in The Strand Arcade in Sydney CBD for six years.

The pair, who regularly take lunch breaks together or meet for weekend dinners, were “ecstatic” to reunite on Monday morning when the shopping strip reopened.

“We’ve been shut since June so it’s been very exciting this morning to see everyone again,” Ms Lade, owner of The Australian Perfumery, said.

“It’s been great to see a few of our regulars come through this morning.”

Charlie, Jordan and Makenzie Gover take the plunge at Carlile Swimming in Carlingford in Sydney on Monday. Picture: Richard Dobson