Manly Residents Asked to Rally Behind Local Businesses Over the next few Days

Local businesses who were relying on pre-Christmas trading this weekend are being encouraged to stay resilient as the Northern Beaches deals with the challenges of the next three or so days. 

To assist contact tracing and to contain any potential spread of COVID-19, NSW Health asks that people living in the Northern Beaches stay home as much as possible today and over the weekend. This includes working from home where possible, not visiting friends or family in aged care facilities or hospitals unless essential, avoiding unnecessary gatherings and high-risk venues such as clubs, restaurants, places or worships and gyms, and avoiding unnecessary travel outside of or to the Northern Beaches area.

Member for Manly, James Griffin said that after a tough year for local businesses the next three days will be critical.

“Many local businesses rely on the high volume of pre-Christmas trade to provide that extra income at the end of the year. 2020 has been even more difficult for these businesses and the lessons from restrictions earlier in the year will be useful to help trade continue in a Covid-safe way,” Mr Griffin Said.

Mr Griffin is encouraging residents to support their local businesses and ask if there are other options like gift-cards, delivery or moving booking dates before cancelling.

Charlotte Rimmer, President of the Manly Business Chamber said “We are proud of the way Manly and the local area has stepped up to ensure a safe Covid environment for both tourists and locals this year. This week prior to Christmas is a busy one socially and our restaurants, cafes and retailers have pulled out all stops to make it work for everyone.  Gift cards, postponing rather than cancelling and supporting local business will keep the economy turning so that we can enjoy a fabulous start to 2021 – the same goal for everyone.”

The ‘Back Your Local’ website was built earlier this year to help small businesses respond to Covid restrictions and give certainty and information to the public as to what they can access safely and locally.

“The website is up and running now and will be instrumental in helping residents understand which businesses are still open and trading in the coming days and how to access their services in a Covid safe way,” Mr Griffin said.

“Right now, the Northern Beaches community can rally behind each other and our local businesses and provide them with certainty and support through the next few days.”

For more information on the NSW Health Advice and for ‘Back Your Local’