But once the new rules for a "COVIDsafe Summer" become clear, it's expected to bring a boost for retail.

Masks must be carried at all times and are only required catching public transport or while in shopping centres, supermarkets and other large department stores.

Face coverings are recommended, but not mandatory, in other settings, where people can't keep 1.5 metres apart.

Home Inspirations owner David Bowring said there had been some confusion with the new rules.

"I'd say 99 per cent of the customers are coming in with masks on," he said.

"A lot of people will probably keep wearing them.

"In six months, we haven't had one issue with a customer and face masks."

Mr Bowring also has a store in Albury and said it Victorian guidelines for businesses were more confusing.

"NSW were miles ahead of Victoria in terms of compliance - we created all our COVID plans with NSW," he said.

"We closed here [in Wodonga] in April, and we were doing click and collect online orders.

"Since we came back in May, it's been crazy, record figures.

"There's definitely an awareness for shopping local; that's really front of mind.

"We were also getting a lot of people from Bright and all the country Victorian towns that would normally go to Albury to shop but were out of the bubble.

"In the last few weeks, people have started to move freely and we've seen a pick-up in the Albury store, but Wodonga's still been really strong."

Regional Victorians were directed to don masks 127 days ago, with the directive being relaxed on November 22 to indoor-only.

An incentive for some businesses to use electronic sign-in systems has been written into new rules that came into effect at midnight.

In hospitality, there can be one person per two square metres if customer records are being kept electronically; a "density quotient of 1 per 4sqm applies if manual record keeping used".

The same applies for real estate, community facilities and libraries and accommodation providers.

This differs to NSW, where electronic check-in was made mandatory on November 23 for businesses required to keep customer details.

But for retail, rules are now more balanced with COVIDsafe plans and a one customer per two square metres density rule being mandatory on each side of the border.

Jacinta Christian opened clothing and accessories store Armadio on Elgin Boulevard 16 months ago and welcomed the news masks were no longer needed inside.

"We've been lucky, we've had a lot of support," she said.

"It's going to be a lot better now, I think a lot of people were shopping in Albury because of the mask aspect - the mask removal has come just in time," she said.

"I just think it's really sad Wodonga has had to suffer, because we haven't had one single case since it started."

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council welcomed the changes allowing event venues and attractions to return to 75 per cent capacity in seated venues, and 50 per cent in unseated venues, up to a cap of 1000 people.

But the VTIC called for clarification about red tape for small events needs.

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There was also confusion around which settings other than supermarkets are still subject to mandatory mask use, with the DHHS advice stating masks are required in "retail stores inside shopping centres, department stores, electronics stores, furniture stores, [and] hardware stores".

McPhail's Furniture Wodonga was on Monday following the "masks required indoors" advice.