Offices returning 75 per cent staff capacity will not only benefit businesses but cafes and hospitality venues across the Border.
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However, the way businesses function has changed over the pandemic and Business NSW regional Murray-Riverina manager Anthony McFarlane believes many organisations won't return to their old ways entirely.
On Friday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews wound-back a number of restrictions, returning the state to the COVID-Safe Summer measures announced pre-Christmas.
It came after two locally acquired cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to Friday among close contacts of pre-existing cases.
Masks now only have to be worn in large shopping centres, supermarkets, businesses over 2000sqm, and public or shared transport.
Residents can have 30 people to their house in one day, up from five, and outdoors gatherings of 100 are permitted.
From 11.59pm on Friday, public and private sector businesses in Victoria will be allowed 75 per cent of staff back in the office - for the first time since the pandemic begun.
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Mr McFarlane said the easing of restrictions will have a positive flow on effect throughout Wodonga.
"The easing of restrictions is an important step to getting workers back to the workplace and it's also great for businesses that support those workplaces like your cafes and retail," he said.
"It's an important step back to normality.
"We've certainly been hearing from the business community that [foot traffic] has been quieter through the time of restrictions. Certainly we've seen when the government does ease restrictions businesses can get on with what they do best."
Mr McFarlane said the benefits would be most obvious where national and government employers have regional hubs.
But people working remotely won't disappear overnight.
"The working paradigm has shifted,"Mr McFarlane said. "Employers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of more flexibility in working arrangements,.
"Where appropriate for the workplace, some flexibility is here to stay."
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