The region's businesses have been given hope after the announcement JobKeeper payments will be extended beyond September.
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Tamworth's Snake Athletic owner Jake Douglas said the thought of what would happen if the scheme ended abruptly was "scary".
"We've kept really strict protocols up since we reopened, so we haven't had to make any more adjustments with the drawing back of restrictions," he explained.
"But with everything happening at the moment, it was scary to think what we would have done if JobKeeper had ended."
But with everything happening at the moment, it was scary to think what we would have done if JobKeeper had ended.
- Jake Douglas
Lorraine Cloake, owner of Euphoria Hair Beauty Spa, thanked God they got JobKeeper when they did, yet said they would be alright if they didn't qualify for the extension.
"We were really busy when we first got back, and are now back to normal levels which is still really good," she explained.
If she can continue to operate her business under the current level of restrictions she will be able to pay her staff wages without JobKeeper.
We can't keep on it forever ... the county is going to pay for it eventuality.
- Lorraine Cloake
"We can't keep on it forever ... the county is going to pay for it eventuality," she said.
However fear and uncertainty still remains as restrictions are pulled back again in Victoria and NSW as COVID-19 hotspots develop.
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Business NSW New England North West region manager Joe Townsend welcomed 'JobKeeper 2.0' in light of those developments.
Their COVID-recovery report 'Back On Track' released earlier this week, highlighted the need to gradually wind-back JobKeeper and not end it abruptly.
The report puts forward ten priorities to ensure our region's economy can continue after JobKeeper.
The business community would like to see their governments implementing policies that will get people back into work.
- Joe Townsend
"The business community would like to see their governments implementing policies that will get people back into work," he said.
"That is why we called for National Cabinet to sign a compact to return unemployment to below six per cent by June 2022. JobKeeper 2.0 is a vital component to achieving this."
The JobKeeper extension will see wage subsidies reduced to $1200 a fortnight for full-time workers after September.
People working less than 20 hours a week will have their payment cut to $750 a fortnight. Both full-time and part-time subsidies will again be reduced from January to March 2021.
Most businesses will have to requalify by demonstrating a 30 per cent loss in revenue, with the threshold at 50 per cent for major companies.
