The Australian Retailers Association has welcomed the easing of COVID restrictions across NSW and Victoria.
From today February 18, retailers in Victoria and NSW will no longer require their customers to check-in via QR codes.*
Additionally, density limits in indoor settings have been removed in NSW and Victoria.
However, the states differ when it comes to mask mandates.
In NSW, masks will only be encouraged for retail staff from February 25 but in Victoria, masks remain a requirement in all indoor settings, including in retail and offices.
The Victorian Government states that the Minister will consider if masks are neccessary in office settings from next week.
Additionally, the Minister will consider the removal of the 'work from home' recommendation for Victorians.
ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the recovery of CBD retailers relies on the removal of the mask mandate.
"Melbourne’s office occupancy rate is the lowest in the country at 4% – foot traffic is languishing and it’s severely hampering CBD retailers in their recovery efforts. Sydney’s office occupancy rate is languishing at 7% and that needs an urgent turnaround.
"The removal of the indoor mask mandate [in NSW] will ensure we can get more people back into the office – and into the Sydney CBD.
"CBDs are a concern across the country, and Melbourne in particular – our capital cities a far cry from the thriving hubs they were once before.
"The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way our city’s function and we need to look at bold ideas to inject them with new life.
"It’s important there’s a continued collaborative approach between government, business and industry and we acknowledge the efforts that have been made by state and territory governments in this regard," he said.
Further information on COVID restrictions is available on both the Victorian and NSW state government websites.
*Victoria's easing begins from 6pm Friday 18 February, while NSW's began at the beginning of Friday 18 February.