If the NSW Government extends the Greater Sydney lockdown beyond Friday should Wollongong and Shellharbour be included?
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Wollongong MP Paul Scully said any changes to the present arrangement should be based on health advice.
"In part it depends on how workplaces go because there are still a lot of people who travel to and from Sydney on a daily basis when we aren't in lockdown," he said.
Mr Scully said reducing lockdown restrictions in local government areas with no positive COVID cases might be something for the NSW Government to consider.
"I think there is a strong case to be made for Wollongong and Shellharbour and other parts of Sydney to be viewed in a slightly different light," he said.
"I think there is some merit in that. We have all done our part and Wollongong and Shellharbour have fared well."
But if the health advise means is not possible for Wollongong and Shellharbour to come out of lockdown Mr Scully would like to see local councils follow the lead of some Sydney councils and consider lighting up sport and playing fields until around 8pm to allow more people to get out and exercise.
"It is a really good common sense idea that helps reduce the congregation around lit areas for exercise which are predominantly down along the Blue Mile."
Business Illawarra executive director Adam Zarth said staying in lockdown would definitely come at a cost. But the NSW Government would not include Wollongong and Shellharbour if it wasn't important.
"There is a lot of concern in the business community about how many more lockdowns we will have to endure," he said.
"The vaccination hub in the Wollongong CBD was an announcement we welcomed because not only will it bring foot traffic into the mall. But it means the vaccine rollout will start more earnestly in our region which is utmost important for the business community."
Mr Zarth said businesses were happy to comply with QR codes in every shop front, venue and office. And comply with any stay at home order.
But everyone has to play a role and a priority for the the NSW and Federal Government is an effective vaccine rollout plan.
He can see why the government included Wollongong and Shellharbour in the Greater Sydney lockdown.
He said it wasn't just about the number of cases in the local health district but "the tendency for cases to pop up in Wollongong soon after a breakout in Sydney".
"All of us are up and down to Sydney on a regular basis. Unfortunately because of that we tend to be included," he said
"We are confident the government is making pretty sound decisions on lockdown. Obviously it takes no joy in locking the state down.
"If anything they are erring on the side of keeping us open. So we are assuming a lockdown will only occur if there is sufficient levels of transmission to justify it. On that basis we can't argue against the health advice."
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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.
