Businesses prepare for 'freedom' day as city begins state-first vaccine passport trial

It comes as Tamworth has been named one of four pilot locations for a NSW-first vaccine passport trial in the ServiceNSW app, alongside Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga and Lismore.

From today, locals can only visit many businesses, including pubs, if they can prove they are double-vaccinated against COVID-19.

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Wests Entertainment Group chief executive Rod Laing said being a part of the pilot scheme was a "real honour".

"It's a big deal for Tamworth, we're part of a pilot," he said.

"We are as individuals to report back to ServiceNSW on our findings on how the system is going and how it's working. This is a week's trial. We'll come out of this and we'll be on the front foot."

Mr Laing said the company offered the state government a unique one-stop shop, with three licensed venues and a hotel attached to the one organisation. It's the same reason Wests' proved a good base for the New Zealand Warriors NRL club last year, he said.

Initially just 30 employees and no patrons will be part of the trial, but eventually all residents of the city will have four ways to prove vaccination status.

People can use the Express Plus Medicare app, the digital wallet on their phone, the ServiceNSW app or a paper certificate from ServiceNSW as a vaccine passport.

Digital and Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said integrating the vaccine certificate onto the app "will be optional".

Meanwhile, Tamworth businesses have prepared for a wave of changes to public health orders from today.

For the first time in the pandemic crisis, businesses will be responsible for turning away unvaccinated customers.

Tamworth Business Chamber president Stephanie Cameron said she suspects many people won't yet have worked out their vaccine passport and businesses will struggle to enforce the rules.

"For those businesses who don't have security, it's probably going to be tough to maybe say no to someone who is belligerent," she said.

"It is going to be a bit of a tough week. So I'd just encourage people to be patient.

"Remember it might take a little while to get used to, but I'm sure we'll be much more comfortable with it within the next a week or two. The trick is you need to go and get vaccinated so you can enjoy the freedoms everyone else is enjoying."

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Mr Laing said that with just 60 per cent of the city double-vaccinated, business will be quiet in the coming days.

"We're hearing all sorts of stories around the state in regards to people not complying with face masks and that sort of thing," he said.

"I'm charged with the responsibility to protect the employees and the guests on the premises as well. We're taking every reasonable step to ensure everyone's complying with the public health order. I know some places will turn a blind eye to that but we're not one of those."

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said on Sunday that the regional pilot will apply to staff and visitors at a number of clubs and aged-care facilities, as well as selected taxi companies.

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He said it would be more convenient to check-in to a venue and show proof of vaccination status on the same app.

Over six million people use the ServiceNSW app.

Authorised officers will monitor businesses re-opening, particularly those that have vaccination requirements like hospitality, retail, gyms and hair and beauty businesses. An individual can be fined $1000 on the spot and businesses up to $5000 for non-compliance or for using a fake passport.

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