Pambula Business Chamber president Michelle Pettigrove has called it "the Christmas we never had for two years" with staff "flat out" as visitors return in big numbers to the Far South Coast.
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And while she is delighted to see Pambula so busy day after day, Ms Pettigrove said that staffing had been an issue for some businesses.
Ms Pettigrove said most shops had been pinged but the rules allowed retailers to go about their normal life.
Nigel Ayling at the Merimbula Chamber of Commerce said he felt accommodation had been pretty busy, even though there had "been numerous cancellations there was always someone else waiting in line" to take the booking.
But staffing issues had affected many businesses, he said.
"Staff shortages were bad before and now they're increasing because of the positive COVID cases in the area," Mr Ayling said.
He said that testing was part of the issue with people waiting four or five days for PCR test results and unable to access a rapid antigen test. But he is confident about the two-day Merimbula Sea Change Expo which will take place on the weekend of January 21-23. The event is designed to showcase Merimbula and the Sapphire Coast as a desirable location to live.
At Club Sapphire, CEO Damien Foley said staffing wasn't such an issue because they had quite a big team. Kitty's, the new bar and restaurant at the club had to close soon after opening due to COVID but re-opens on Wednesday, January 12 after quarantine periods have run their course.
"Things can change any day, we can't do anything about it," Mr Foley said adding that the clubs had a double system of registering people through the NSW app and the sign-in process.
The most recent rule changes have meant that the planned 70s and 80s dance parties have had to be cancelled because public singing and dancing (apart from performances) are no longer allowed in pubs and clubs.
At Robyn's Nest in Merimbula Greg Britten said staffing was "a nightmare". Mr Britten set up a Facebook page in October 2020 to try and connect those wanting jobs with local employers.
"I've only got three staff and have one off in isolation. It's making trading very difficult; I'm working 12 or 13 hours a day."
Mr Britten said Robyn's Nest was booked through to the end of January with bookings starting to come in for February although he said people were tending to hold off a little because they didn't want to commit until the last minute.