Concerns have emerged about people travelling from Greater Sydney and the Central Coast to the Hunter for what is deemed essential work amid the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown in and around the state capital.
Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes told the Newcastle Herald that some people had recently expressed their worries to him about workers from Greater Sydney - particularly in the construction industry and in trades - coming to the Hunter to work.
"It's a question of how we keep those people safe - that when they come back they haven't brought any nasties with them," he said.
"As far as the construction industry is concerned, I think while the government is allowing some industries to maintain momentum we have to go with that and hope that the people involved in those industries take into account relative health protocols to make sure they stay safe.
"If the government decides construction has to stop - and I hope we don't get to that - it's a pretty serious step and would impact not just those businesses in Sydney but also up here as well."
It comes as the state government confirmed on Tuesday that a man who had been on a work site at Goulburn - outside the Greater Sydney lockdown zone - was infectious before going into isolation on July 10.
The government on Tuesday clarified rules and guidelines for essential workers, saying they could travel to regional parts of the state for essential work, but would need to take a Coronavirus test every seven days - even if they were not symptomatic.
Those workers are also restricted to the same conditions while out of the lockdown zone as if they were still inside it.
"So people are permitted to go to the regions, where it is essential, for essential work, but if you are doing that all you can do is do that essential work and go home," NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
"You can't go to pubs, clubs, hospitality, anything else. The restrictions that apply to [Greater Sydney residents] in Sydney apply to [them] in the regions."
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union NSW secretary Darren Greenfield said contractors working out of Greater Sydney and the Central Coast were trying, where possible, to use local workers on jobs in regional NSW - including in Newcastle.
"In the limited circumstances where that is not possible and workers are required to travel they are following all the health guidelines and requirements of the NSW government," Mr Greenfield said.
"As always during this pandemic, the industry is operating under the guidance and instruction of the Chief Health Officer and the Health department."
Housing Industry Association Hunter executive director Craig Jennion said HIA had devised a set of extra guidelines for work sites in the residential construction sector to be COVID-safe.
"These guidelines can assist industry comply with their obligations and manage their residential building work sites and business premises," he said.
