Panic and then annoyance.
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That's how Emporium on Swan owner Rowena Smith felt when NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced tighter new COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday.
Residents in Wollongong and Shellharbour can not have any more than five visitors to a household, including children, until midnight next Wednesday when restrictions will be re-assessed.
All customers at hospitality venues must again be seated to consume food or drink, while the four square metre rule has also been re-introduced.
Masks are compulsory in all indoor settings, including workplaces, and at outdoor events such as sporting matches.
The restrictions come as the Sydney COVID cases jump with a further 10 cases of community transmission reported to 8pm Tuesday, and another 13 cases since 8pm Tuesday night.
The news hit Mrs Smith, who runs the popular Wollongong cafe which also sells fashion and collectables, hard.
"I thought 'oh no, here we go again'. And then the panic hit," Mrs Smith told the Mercury.
"All I could think of is are we heading back to the bad old days when COVID first hit? Are we closing? Do I have to stand people down again?
"All these thoughts came in my head and that initial panic frightened me, but it also annoyed me because we've allowed [COVID-19] back in the community again to a stage where tighter restrictions are necessary.
"I'm worried about my staff and hoping I don't have to send people home again if we get super quiet.
"I just hope this peters out very quickly and people can do the right thing and we can get back to normal sooner rather than later.
Read more: SA and WA close off borders to NSW
"I've got my fingers crossed that this is just a blip and we return to normal. It has been so good recently."
Fellow Wollongong retailer Jenny King wasn't as fazed with the tighter restrictions designed to reduce the risk of further community transmission.
Mrs King, who manages Wollongong clothes' fashion store Kingsway, said retailers had to learn to roll with the punches so to speak when it comes to COVID restrictions.
"This is obviously not ideal but it is definitely not as scary as it was last year," she said.
"If we have to wear masks indoors and follow some other necessary measures for a week, then so be it. I think we can survive this.
"I'm confident we won't allow things to get out of control and have to endure lockout after lockout, like Victoria."
Thirroul resident Greg Clisby also urged against panicking.
"We just have to follow the rules and hopefully we can get through this little tough period together. I'm sure it won't last too long."
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
