Businesses in South East New South Wales are reopening cautiously despite the region recording no new cases in the latest reporting period.
There are 108 active cases across the South East — 77 in the Snowy Monaro, 23 in the Eurobodalla and eight in Bega.
Bega Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said he expected a steady increase in infections.
"We have to learn to live with the virus and if we want to get out and about, that's just part of it," he said.
"We'll have other people coming from other areas more highly affected than the Bega Valley, so it's only natural at some stage that is going to come."
Doors open, but not all the way
Some businesses in the region are choosing to restrict their operations for safety and privacy reasons.
Timenah Hunt, the manager of Bermagui food wholesaler Gulaga Organics, said she decided to keep the cafe side of her business closed to avoid disagreements with unvaccinated people.
She also said she did not want to have to ask customers to prove their vaccination status.
"It's been quite difficult anyway with QR codes and mandating masks," she said.
"Because we had the choice not to engage, we chose not to."
But she remains hopeful that people will adapt over time.
"It will definitely be difficult," she said.
"Not everybody agrees, obviously — not everybody would be prepared to enter with the information that's required.
"In our area the demographic is older, so they can be left behind with a lot of the technology."
Hairdressers in demand
Many businesses are embracing the eased restrictions, including hairdressers, who have seen a surge in people rushing in to have their lockdown locks lopped.
Tony Stewart has been a barber in Cooma for 40 years and says he has never seen it so busy.
"The first Monday I was back, I got here about 7:00am to get things ready and there's a gentleman sitting in my doorway waiting to come in," he said.
"I've been starting at 8:00am and getting home about 7 o'clock in the evening — it's been full on."
He said he had not had problems with customers being asked to present proof of vaccination.
"So far so good, I've had no-one jacking up at this stage," Mr Stewart said,
"I don't like doing that sort of thing, because you don't know how people feel, but you've got to do it by law, so unfortunately I've got to do it."
