It has been a tough period for many accommodation providers around Dubbo as COVID-19 enforced restrictions have limited visitors to town but it could soon change.
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Soon, tourists will be able to visit Dubbo once again as NSW begins to ease restrictions due to the state reaching 70 and 80 per cent full vaccination.
In the current restrictions, regional travel between Local Government Areas is allowed meaning those who are not Greater Sydney can come to Dubbo.
However, from next month fully vaccinated people will be able to travel throughout NSW including those from Sydney.
Country Apartments owner Terry Clarke says they have not received much interest in bookings as of yet but he is hopeful things will pick-up soon.
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"[There's been] very little change,"
"We're still managing with just the essential workers and people with permits to travel.
"[We've] had very few family and leisure requests as yet.
"I'm very doubtful whether we will get those until the Sydney coastal areas are open to travel to regional areas.
"We're virtually still surviving on the same business we had during lockdown."
Mr Clarke said they had received interest from people to stay at their accommodation but there were certain requirements which need to be met.
"At the moment they've moved it through to November 1 for Sydney people [to come to regional areas like Dubbo]," he said.
"We do get some requests asking is it okay if we do come and we just have to say to say to them 'I'm sorry you can't come unless you've got all your party a clearance approval to come and your COVID-19 plan'.
"We're virtually not getting any enquiries."
Come December 1, NSW will basically be fully re-opened to both fully-vaccinated and non-vaccinated people and Mr Clarke believes the high percentage of vaccinated people in Dubbo could draw tourists to visit in just over six weeks time.
"We're still poking along in a very limited way," he said.
"So I hope it improves after December 1 when virtually we're going to open the doors.
"It should be a very high level of vaccinations by then so hopefully the risk is less."
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