The Dubbo couple are shouldering the responsibility for their business, with Mr Smith saying they did not think it would be "fair" of them to expect their staff to perform the duty.

Hospitality venues could reopen to the fully vaccinated from October 11 with restrictions, after NSW reached the key double-dose vaccination target of 70 per cent of the population.

Under the government road map to reopening, people not vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be able to attend pubs, cafes and restaurants, among other venues, until December 1.

Businesses that fail to enforce the rule risk a $5000 on-the-spot fine, while individuals who don't comply may be hit with a $1000 penalty.

The government plan has prompted concern from some business owners in the state.

Mr Smith said enforcing the rules was something the bar had to do, and it would be either he or Mrs Smith who would be checking whether patrons were vaccinated, and "having that conversation if people want to have that conversation with us".

"Because ultimately, we're not employing the staff to check a government requirement over and above what they're paid to do as someone with an RSA [Responsible Service of Alcohol]," he said.

"We don't feel that's fair on the staff, especially if it does become an issue, and if it does become a heated argument, you can't pay people enough to have that - these are young people who just work at a bar...

"They haven't signed up to do it, and to put that pressure on them and to make them possibly have those altercations, we don't feel that's fair."

The bar co-owner said they thought it was better because it would allow their employees to concentrate on making the "experience in the bar exactly what it need[ed] to be", and it also kept their staff from being potentially exposed.

The Monkey Bar welcomed patrons inside for the first time in two months on October 12, and speaking to the Daily Liberal the next day, Mr Smith said it had been a successful return, and no issues with people complying.

Leading up to reopening he had been preparing for mixed views in the community about the vaccination rules.

"You're going to have those who are doing what the government requires because that's what is required to get back into it and they understand that, and they also want to protect themselves," he said.

"And then you've got those who one, can't get vaccinated for whatever reason, or just disagree with it, which is completely their choice.

"But for the government then to put basically a stop-go on it, on their personal position and whether they've complied with what they want, you're always going to have two sides to the party, and dealing with that on the coalface of a hospitality venue, you're always going to be worried.

"I mean, the idea of not letting people in is the opposite of hospitality, it's the antithesis of what you're trying to do and so to enforce those rules and to make sure that people are abiding by something they may not necessarily agree with, regardless of our position on it, is always going to be hard.

"But everyone knows, I think, what the requirements are, luckily.

"I think those who are coming out and about now, they're well-prepared, they're showing up the door with everything they need.

"They're just happy to be out and about, happy to see their friends again.

"And those that aren't, don't have that double vax, whether they've just missed that window and are waiting for the time they can get their second one, or they're just waiting until we open up completely.

"I mean, the numbers are increasing every day, so they'll be allowed out and about in the community again very soon...

"So enforcing the rules is, yes, something we have to do, but there is a light towards the end of that."