Today, June 1, marked the easing of a number of significant restrictions across NSW and it saw numerous doors swing open in Taree that had been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
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At the Royal Hotel the pub's regulars were met with hand sanitiser and the first freshly poured schooners in more than two months as the easing of patron restriction numbers meant the pub could once again open.
Manager Brad Ruber said it was great to be back in business.
"All the locals are starting to come in," Mr Ruber said.
"They're all excited to be back."
Royal regular, Laurie Kidd, enjoyed a cold VB and said what he'd missed the most was the social outlet the pub provided.
"It's not so much going to the pub as it is seeing people," he said.
"It's hard arguing with yourself all the time - you always win."
Cafe Thyme also enjoyed a steady flow of customers after being closed since March.
"We're really busy," barista Nerida Ramsey said.
At Club Taree, chief executive officer Morgan Stewart said it was exciting to welcome the club's members back after such a long break.
"They've missed us and we've missed them," Mr Stewart said.
"It's wonderful to have the doors open and be catching up on a lot of conversation with people."
Mr Stewart said the fact the club could welcome up to 50 people in each of its three dining rooms meant they could comfortably reopen again.
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But he wasn't in any hurry to see restrictions eased further.
"Let's get 50 people settled in and be comfortable with how that works," he said.
"We think slow and steady wins the race. We don't want to rush it."
The club has introduced a hand sanitiser station and temperature checks at the door to help minimise the spread of COVID-19.
Mr Stewart said the measures had been requested by members and were all part of the club industry working towards a safe return to normalcy.
And it wasn't just the hospitality industry bouncing back today, with the Taree Library also opening its doors for the first time since March 25.
Customer service officer, Lisa Greenwood, said the library had seen a steady stream of customers and she expected more people to come in as the day went on.
"A lot of familiar faces have come in first thing this morning," Ms Greenwood said.
"A lot of them have said: 'I'm so glad you're back.'"
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