Quality Resort Siesta owner Steve Jones said his Lavington business had cut its motel operations back to three nights a week even before the NSW lockdown came into effect on Saturday night.

Mr Jones said his business was already under pressure with Victorians making up 80 per cent of his motel trade.

"As soon as Victoria made all of NSW a red zone, it killed us," he said.

"We've copped it from both sides of the border all along."

Mr Jones, who also operates Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, said Victoria had offered more financial support to small businesses but it had weathered more lockdowns than NSW all the same.

He said his Lavington business of 38 years was disproportionately exposed to Victorian restrictions.

"If Daniel Andrews shuts the border that affects us big-time but there's no reimbursement from the NSW government," he said.

"Andrews is not going to compensate any businesses in NSW impacted by his policy.

"I believe NSW needs to step up its support; a one-off $7500 grant doesn't go far enough."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Bright Motor Inn manager Nick Wheatley said his business was severely impacted by the ongoing Melbourne lockdown.

"About 80-90 per cent of our guests come from Melbourne," he said.

"When Melbourne is in lockdown that's when we really need the financial support.

"But because the restrictions have lifted in regional Victoria the support is no longer available."

Having taken over the business two years ago, Mr Wheatley said occupancy rates remained low in what was the peak winter season.

"Mid-week has been very quiet and on the weekends we're getting a few people in on their way to the snow," Mr Wheatley said.

"On Friday and Saturday we're 70 per cent booked by regional Victorians but last night we had no one staying in the motel.

"Now we're closed to NSW."

Mr Jones said the announcement of the NSW statewide lockdown via social media on Saturday afternoon was very poorly handled.

He said it was particularly ill-timed for operators of restaurants such as his on-site venue The Bullring.

"We had people turn up to the restaurant on Saturday night only to find it in the dark," Mr Jones said.

"Then we had to get birthday cakes back to people who had dropped them off to the restaurant earlier in the day.

"People did not know the lockdown had been announced."

Mr Jones said Border residents were weary from constant changes in restrictions across two states.

"We've got Dan on one side and Gladys on the other and they've both got different Border Bubbles," he said.

"We're the piggy in the middle."

Mr Jones said regional NSW's exit from lockdown would depend on coronavirus outbreaks in Canberra and Dubbo.

"They were the catalysts for us going into lockdown so if they can get that cleaned up we'll be right," he said.

"In our favour is that regional Victoria is out of lockdown and Gladys will take that into account."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: