Two confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Dubbo and a seven-day lockdown to start at 1pm have plunged local businesses into a new test.
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"These new restrictions for the Dubbo Local Government Area is a concerning development and there's no hiding that this will be a huge blow for business, big and small, right across western NSW," Business NSW western NSW regional manager Vicki Seccombe said.
Authorities confirmed the stay-at-home orders for Dubbo, coming after a first case was confirmed on Tuesday night.
NSW has been battling to contain the Delta variant's spread through the community for eight weeks, with Greater Sydney and neighbouring regions going into lockdown on June 26.
"These new restrictions are a disappointing development for our businesses and community members who have been doing so well at staying safe and healthy for the past year," Ms Seccombe said.
"It's been such a disruptive time for businesses and they are fatigued by the ongoing adaptations and pivoting to public health orders.
"We've been surveying Western NSW businesses and the feedback data shows that many are already on a knife's edge because of direct and indirect impacts from the Greater Sydney restrictions.
"But businesses understand how important it is that we contain this local outbreak and they will be working hard to ensure they comply with the rules.
"There is going to be additional pressure placed on business owners over the next seven days as they navigate these orders, so we encourage both employers and employees to work together.
"We just want to see lockdown decisions across the state that will have the necessary impact to put a lid on the virus and allow business confidence to be restored.
"Business certainty is as important as ever, and I know the entire Dubbo LGA community will do the right thing when it comes to obeying the rules, get tested and to get vaccinated when possible."
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