"Seven days is do-able but if it extends beyond seven days there will absolutely be more assistance needed and whether they target it to some industries or not will need to be considered," he said.

The snap lockdown did not surprise Mr Young but he noted food and beverage providers would have preferred more notice.

"I think it was just inevitable, everyone was kind of planning for it, knowing it was coming with the way the (COVID case) numbers have been," he said.

Regent Cinemas general manager Kelly Davis said learning of the lockdown at 2.30pm Saturday was fortuitous because 3.15pm and 3.30pm sessions could be cancelled and films playing ended just before 5pm when restrictions began.

Patrons who emerged to news of the lockdown after having watched either Space Jam: A New Legacy featuring US basketballer LeBron James in a standard cinema or video game-based flick Free Guy in Gold Class, were largely accepting.

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"They were a little bit stunned and there was a couple of ones who said it should have happened a long ago," Ms Davis said.

"Everyone's feelings come out at a time like that.

"But we didn't have any angry customers they were more frustrated than anything."

Those booked into sessions already have been offered refunds.

The movie house had already been operating at half-capacity or to a four square-metre limit due to COVID rules.

IGA supermarket Bob Mathews said it was super busy at his East Albury, Springdale Heights, Jindera and Lockhart stores from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday as news of the lockdown emerged.

He said there was strong demand for toilet paper with a one-pack limit applied.

By Sunday demand had quietened with Mr Mathews saying that was in contrast to the first lockdown in NSW in autumn 2020 when consumers inundated stores for days after the shutdown began.