In true Coonabarabran style, residents have been getting on with life despite the tighter restrictions enforced as a result of the recent COVID-19 outbreak in NSW.

Although there have been no confirmed cases within or near Warrumbungle Shire, residents have shown their resolve by adhering to the Public Health Order, which includes mandatory mask wearing in all indoor public venues.

Adam Freeman, Coonabarabran Bowling Club manager (pictured above), said he was impressed with how quickly patrons had adapted to the new rules.

“Everyone responded to it really well,” Mr Freeman said.

“After that first day of having to tell a few people, it was fine after that.

“I actually really thought there would be more people refusing this and that and making it hard, but everyone has adapted really well.”

Mr Freeman believes people learnt from the initial COVID lockdown some 12 months ago.

“I think they just want to be able to get on with their lives and if that means wearing a mask in certain places - then so be it,” he said.

“But we haven’t had any trouble, everyone has been really understanding.”

Mr Freeman said the recent outbreak and the subsequent restrictions had slightly affected business.

He has noticed some days trade had been down as much as 20 per cent, but said he felt for the smaller businesses.

“It’s got to be tough for them and draining to have to adhere to the restrictions.”

In the centre of town, Jacinta Lowrie, owner of Cardian’s Coffee Lounge, said for the most part everyone was abiding by the new restrictions.

“We’ve only had a couple people come in without a mask and when we’ve asked them to put one on they obliged,” she said.

“We haven’t really had any trouble at all.”

Despite the restrictions it seems residents still need their morning coffee hit.

“The only thing is, instead of being able to seat 60 we can only seat 18 people, but it still hasn’t affected our business - we’ve been just as busy as ever.”

Tony Cole, from Home Timber and Hardware, said so far 99 per cent of their customers had been compliant with the new restrictions.

He likened the new lifestyle change to when retail supermarket Woolworths changed their plastic bag policy.

“Everyone expects it now, it’s a part of life at the moment,” he said.

“It’s going to be awkward for a while, people might forget their masks here and there, but it will become habit eventually. When you go pick your keys up to go out you’ll pick up your mask as well.

“Like everywhere, you will get one or two people that will try and make it difficult, but from what I’ve seen so far just about everyone has been compliant and happy to do what they need to get on with it.”