While pubs, clubs, restaurants, beauty salons and gyms have been given the green light to trade again after COVID-19, many activity centres in the region remain closed.
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Funpreneur Brett Baker said Hangdog, Laser Tag and the Escape rooms are all still closed as is the 3Sixty indoor skate park at Coniston.
Mr Baker has been talking to Sports Climbing Australia about when Hangdog might be able to open.
"It is agreed we come under the fitness industry award which means any time after the 13th we are able to open," he said.
Mr Baker has taken advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown to upgrade the indoor climbing facility and will reopen it at the end of June.
But the future is not so clear for enterprises regarded as entertainment venues.
Mr Baker still has no idea when laser tag can resume. He is aware some entertainment venues are planning to reopen but he said the information he had received from Services NSW suggested that was too soon.
"The 4sq/m rule makes it a bit tough for laser tag. There isn't enough space to put people in the briefing room and armour," he said.
"We may look at not using those rooms and putting everything out into the open but it is a lot of work and it may be worth just waiting until we can operate normally. We are hoping to be open in early July."
Mr Baker said he felt for Adrian D'Amico at 3Sixty skate park because, not only did he have to close it soon after its debut, but being a start-up meant it didn't quality for any incentives or government assistance, including JobKeeper.
It was just starting to ramp up and was starting to get a few birthday parties. But then COVID-19 arrived and it has just been decimated. It is pretty tough to come back from that.
"It was just starting to ramp up and was starting to get a few birthday parties. But then COVID-19 arrived and it has just been decimated. It is pretty tough to come back from that."
At Breakout Bar and Escape Rooms, the bar is open and trading but not the escape rooms or karaoke rooms because they are considered entertainment venues.
For businesses that are eligible, Mr Baker hopes JobKeeper stays around long enough for them to get back on their feet.
"JobKeeper is the only thing that is going to make that possible for many businesses who have had a massive revenue loss and still had bills to pay," he said.
"Not having to pay full wages for a couple of months is the only way a lot of businesses are going to be able to get back on their feet and back up to full capacity.
"With entertainment we are really at the discretionary spend end of the spectrum. But hopefully people who have been stuck at home will want to come back out and do our activities when we do reopen."
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Science Space director Stuart Creal said the centre was waiting until step three of the COVID-19 Safe Australia framework, at which point the NSW Government will allow a maximum of 100 guests. He hopes that will be in a couple of weeks.
"The current capacity limit would only allow 20 people entry which is very restricting.
"The current capacity limit would only allow 20 people entry which is very restricting. The team have been working on our COVID Safe Operational plan which will see a number of changes to a visit," he said.
It and the COVID Safe plan at the Science Space have been developed in line with the Museum and Gallery guidelines.
"When we have a confirmed date we shall provide full details to the community. Our highest priority is to ensure when we reopen, we provide a safe experience for all our staff and community but the team cant wait to welcome our loyal customers back," Mr Creal said.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
