The June 1 reopening of NSW regions to holidaymakers could be the start of a "reasonably quick" economic rebound for the Dubbo electorate, suggests Dugald Saunders.
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The Member for the Dubbo electorate reports businesses of all kinds are planning for the future since NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced her government's intention to unlock the regions for recreational visitors.
"I think most businesses are now gearing up to be the best they can be as quickly as they can be," he said on Wednesday at the official opening of regional NSW's first point-to-point vehicle sanitisation station trial at Dubbo Buslines.
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Mr Saunders told of details being "worked through right now" on the likes of numbers permitted at tourist attractions, restaurants, cafes, clubs and pubs.
"The distancing will have to remain and there will be certain rules and regulations around exactly what you can do," he said.
"The sanitisation needed for our venues as well will be be a big part. But all of that can be worked out and I think we can come forward and show that the regions can lead us out of this."
I think most businesses are now gearing up to be the best they can be as quickly as they can be.
- State Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders
Mr Saunders, who has been advocating for weeks for the regions to be reopened, is optimistic about the capacity of businesses to take advantage of the return of tourists.
"I think all of those businesses now have that chance to think about what it means for them and I think they will rebound really strongly, really quickly and in a really positive way," he said.
Meanwhile, the MP has tried to quell concerns about the potential for visitors to spread the coronavirus named COVID-19.
"If regional areas are to lead the way back we will have more cases," he said. "There's no way of hiding from that."
But Mr Saunders said across the past couple of months the Western NSW Local Health District had been preparing for them in ways including an "increase in ICU capabilities at major hospitals".
"That's been really important to have that preparation done," he said.
Mr Saunders is urging residents and visitors to continue to "do the right thing" by observing social distancing, washing hands and getting tested if they become unwell.