Country shows across the Hunter have been given the green light to go ahead by the NSW Government from January next year as long as they abide with COVID-safe restrictions.
Shows will have to follow social distancing measures such as controlled entry points and the one person per 4 square metre rule, although larger venues will be allowed to host up to 5,000 attendees at any one given time.
Show organisers are also being asked to use Service NSW QR codes to assist with managing crowds and contact tracing.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said while it was a great opportunity to get tourism moving again, it was important that both shows and guests followed the rules.
"Regional communities have done the hard work and deserve to enjoy themselves, but it is crucial that both organisers and attendees follow COVID safe guidelines to guard against an outbreak in country towns," Mr Barilaro said.
"I encourage everyone from the city to get out there and immerse yourself in a country show and get a valuable insight into life in the bush."
The first country show of the new calendar year is scheduled to be held in Bowral on Saturday 9th of January - one of 192 annual shows held in small towns across regional NSW.
David Williams, President of the Singleton Show, said the Government's decision "was a great thing to happen" and would go a long way to helping regional economies get back on track.
"To get this back, it brings the community together again, it's a major event for the year, a lot of people put a lot of work into it to stage these events, and it's all done on a voluntary capacity," Mr Williams said. "That's important for our volunteers, and for the community as a whole."
But Wendy Franklin, Manager of Tocal Field Days, says the restrictions could still be a big financial obstacle for shows struggling to get back on their feet.
"For us, that would mean at least a 25 percent reduction in revenue from the gate, and then you've got to take into account the loss of revenue for exhibitors who might normally take eight sides but will only have enough stock to take two," Ms Franklin said. "That becomes the point, I guess, when you need to say, is it actually viable to run it?"
"When we lobbied the Government for support, that was the biggest thing, the loss to the local communities that these events run in and the financial bonus they are to those communities."
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| Image credit: https://www.singletonshow.com/ |
