October 11 marks the re-opening of our community after weeks in lockdown following a covid-19 outbreak in Western NSW.

And it's not going to be easy.

Businesses have to navigate new rules outlined in public health orders.

With the state having reached the 70 per cent vaccination mark - that is 70 per cent of the state over the age of 16 have decided to have a covid-19 vaccine - the state government has decided that businesses can reopen - in a covid safe way.

This means, for businesses, working with new rules when it comes to their operations.

Already we are seeing abuse on social media towards businesses who are saying they are operating within guidelines.

But one thing to remember - business owners haven't made up their own rules - they are working on the advice of the government to keep our community safe during the pandemic.

They have been through a lot in the past few weeks, months and years, and now they are getting a chance to open their doors again.

It's not the time for abuse. Because the person at the front door asking for your vaccination status, isn't the one that has decided this is the best course of action for the community.

They are the ones who have been asked to enforce the public health orders made by our elected leaders.

Because we are still in a pandemic. Covid is still circulating within the community and no one can predict what will happen as we get back to living our lives.

Just as you have rights, so do our local small buinesses, and we should be doing everything we can to support them and keep their doors open as wide as they can go.

We've all had a choice over the past few months. And now there are more to make. And as you make your choices just remember, be nice, be respectful.

Do you have something to say? We welcome your letters which may run in print and online.