“These are sensible measures that reduce the burden on business and allows them to trade at their full potential after several months of stop-start restrictions,” Paul Zahra said.
“It’s important that health protocols are eased when it’s safe to do so and we thank the NSW Government for the adjustments they’ve made.”
Mr Zahra said although QR codes have served an important purpose throughout the pandemic for retail, “they’re passed their use by date”.
“The removal of the indoor mask mandate will also ensure we can get more people back into the office – and into the Sydney CBD in particular, which is continuing to struggle with reduced levels of foot traffic. Sydney’s office occupancy rate is languishing at 7 per cent and that needs an urgent turnaround,” he said.
“We’ve been working closely with the NSW Government on how we can breathe new life into the Sydney CBD and look forward to continuing those discussions on accelerating our post-Covid recovery.”
Although international borders reopen next week and tourists and business travellers are set to return, Mr Zahra said it will take tourism years to recover.
“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,” he said.
“It’s important there’s a continued collaborative approach between government, business and industry to ensure our CBDs return to the thriving hubs they once were.”
