Member for Manly Welcomes Revisiting of Restrictions on 2 January
I welcome the Premier’s announcement this morning to revisit restrictions in the Manly area on the 2nd of January.
The community of Manly and the Northern Beaches have ‘dug deep’ and done their part so far to protect the rest of NSW by coming out in record numbers to get tested. I again call upon the community to come forward and get tested.
Our beautiful beaches have been matched only by our willingness to do the right thing by the rest of NSW over these past few days.
The possible easing of restrictions in the coming days will be testament to the hard work of our medical professionals and each and every person in the Manly area who has listened to the health advice, remained at home, and stopped the spread of the virus.
The past few days has been a “kick in the guts” to local businesses during a critical time in one of their hardest operating years ever. The continuation of current restrictions are of course frustrating but if that is what is required to give the Health experts confidence to ease restrictions then we accept that.
Manly is renowned for its summer hospitality and for many businesses they were banking on the Christmas period to lift them out of what has been a terrible year.
Over the coming days and weeks I will be exploring ways in which the NSW Government can provide much needed support to local small businesses who have been dramatically impacted by the recent Covid-19 cluster found on the Northern Beaches.
The feedback I am getting from local business owners across the board is the need for continued support from Manly residents and people from across NSW to support these businesses online or pledging to visit Manly sometime in 2021.
People can support the local economy via the ‘Back Your Local’ website and campaign run by the Manly Business Chamber, aimed at promoting local businesses who continue to operate in a COVID Safe environment.
For more information go to NSW Health Advice and ‘Back Your Local’ to learn more about the campaign.