As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues across Australia, governments and some industries are introducing mandatory jab policies - with small businesses also getting on board.
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Elm Cottage in Tumut will be introducing a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine rule for guests when restrictions ease. Manager David Sheldon believes such policies will "be a way of the future".
"We don't want to be discriminatory, but then again, we've got to show due care to everyone involved," he said.
The state government is in the process of developing a roadmap out of the current statewide lockdown, and elements of this will include mandatory vaccination.
From September 13, vaccinated people living outside the 12 Sydney LGAs of concern will be able to have outdoor gatherings of up to five people within their council area, or 5km from home.
Because the regional lockdown is currently set to end on September 10, Deputy Premier John Barilaro suggested that regional areas opening up on this date would likely return to "pre-lockdown settings across the board" instead.
As part of the roadmap, once 70 per cent of the state is fully vaccinated a range of restrictions will be lifted for those who are vaccinated.
When 80 per cent is reached, there will be a "further easing of restrictions on industry, community and the economy".
Lisa Coates, a lecturer in law at Charles Sturt University's Centre for Law and Justice, said that legislation surrounding vaccination is "a rapidly evolving legal landscape".
Ms Coates said that Australia can expect further developments in the area of public health law moving forward.
"I think it's very difficult to say at this time where things are going to be," she said.
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Ms Coates said the government will need to consider a number of important priorities, such as "needing to balance the public health and safety of the community, as well as the rights and liberties of the individual".
COVID-19 vaccinations will become mandatory for NSW healthcare workers, the government announced this week.
Workers will be required to have their first dose by September 30, and be fully-vaccinated by November 30 - or have their appointment booked - in order to continue working.
More than 70 per cent of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District workforce is vaccinated, and it remains on target to meet the vaccine mandate, with over 3500 employees in the region.
COVID-19 coordinator Emma Field said the health district is "confident" they will meet the target, with vaccine efforts beginning earlier in the year during March, April and May.
It is not only the healthcare workforce that is facing a vaccine mandate, with vaccinations "for all school staff across all sectors" becoming mandatory from November 8.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the mandate is "the best thing we can do" to protect children, particularly those under the age of 12.
"I'm sure there will be some people in the teaching community who don't agree with this approach, but I'm so confident it's the right thing to do," she said.
"The bottom line is it's going to be a condition of your employment ... and we expect our teachers to do that if they want to continue teaching."
Ms Mitchell said there would be exemptions on medical grounds, and the government "will look at what we need to in terms of our workforce" when asked if they anticipated pushback.
Elm Cottage manager David Sheldon thinks more private businesses should consider introducing mandatory vaccine rules for guests and patrons, especially in regional areas.
"Instead of sitting back and waiting ... we should actually lead the way and come up with a reasonable policy forward," he said.
"We are lucky in Wagga and where we are in Tumut because we've been safe so far, we could really lead the way."
Mr Barilaro said there are rules being developed specifically around regional travel and vaccination as part of the state government's roadmap.
"When people leave Sydney to go to a regional [centre] from a tourism perspective, we're going to restrict it to that the host - whatever accommodation it looks like - all their staff must be fully vaccinated, and the customer must be fully vaccinated," he said on Thursday.
The Deputy Premier also predicts that more businesses will "look to only dealing with vaccinated people" due to fears of reputational damage if their venue inadvertently sparks an outbreak.
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