"Our businesses and especially the tourism sector are very happy to be able to begin welcoming visitors back to the MidCoast," MidCoast Council's manager of growth, economic development and tourism, Deb Tuckerman said.

"At the same time, local businesses are working hard to adapt their operations to ensure they comply with the public health orders and protect our community and visitors from COVID-19. Slowing the spread of the virus as restrictions ease is a key priority for everyone."

As a result, many local businesses will look a little different as they reopen. Mid Coast residents and visitors alike will need to adapt to new measures, including physical distancing, increased cleaning and restrictions on numbers allowed at any one time in venues.

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"Our businesses are asking us to all be tolerant and expect things to be a little different as they open and welcome visitors for the first time in two months," added Ms Tuckerman.

While businesses will be following guidelines for operating within existing public health orders, customers also have a responsibility to practice physical distancing and comply with the requests of business operators for everyone's health.

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"These measures will ensure we can reopen our businesses, and give some much needed relief to our economy."

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released figures this week indicating the NSW Mid North Coast was one of Australia's hardest hit regions economically by the COVID-19 restrictions, with the highest national unemployment rate of 11.8 per cent. The MidCoast Council area is part of this region.

"The MidCoast community is resilient and people here really step up and pull together in hard times. The business chambers and local businesses have worked hard during the lock down to keep business flowing, and our community has responded, supporting their local businesses wherever possible," said Mayor David West.

"The #ShopMidCoast campaign is helping to support businesses through this really tough time, what we need now is for all MidCoast locals to welcome our visitors back, and help our local businesses, and our community, come out of restrictions strongly," said the Mayor.

Businesses can find guidelines and free resources for operating safely during restrictions at www.shopmidcoast.com.au, and everyone is encouraged to visit the #shopmidcoast directory there to keep our dollars local, and keep local jobs.