A BLANKET approach to COVID-19 restrictions has negatively impacted the Central West with regional people bound by the same rules as those in virus hotspots.
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The region's state MPs said the NSW Government's restrictions could have been fairer for country people, considering there's only been one virus case in the Central West since mid April.
Orange MP and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers (SFF) member, Phil Donato, said many COVID-19 restrictions don't make sense for this region.
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"There's no consistency and a lot of this stuff seems to be made up on the run," he said.
"It's unprecedented, but there are inconsistencies and that's what people think is unfair.
"You've got to wonder why can you have a wedding, but you can't have a formal? Why can you play football, but not boxing."
While admitting NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has had a "difficult job" during the pandemic, Mr Donato said restrictions have been tougher on regional areas.
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"It's probably not fair on the regions that haven't had any cases to be bound by the same rules as regions that have had cases or are in hotspots," he said.
SFF member and Barwon MP Roy Butler said decisions made by the NSW Government have impacted the region.
"Quick decisions always lead to unintended consequences and cohorts that get forgotten," he said.
With 150 people allowed to attend a wedding under current guidelines, Mr Butler questioned why school formals and graduations have been banned, especially at smaller schools with less than 150 Year 12 students.
"Risks only need to be managed where the are risks," he said.
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"For the mental health of our kids it'd be nice if they could have that celebration at the end of the school year.
"It's something I can take up with the health minister."
Mr Butler said while the region's economy "couldn't handle another shutdown", he did have some sympathy for Ms Berejiklian.
"In fairness, we didn't know as much about the virus as we do now ... no premier would want to be blamed for not taking action and as a result people die," he said.
Nationals member and Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders said regional areas could have been treated differently to metropolitan areas with virus outbreaks.
"I've encouraged that ability to differentiate as much as we can," he said.
Mr Saunders is hopeful rules around school formals and graduations will change in the next few months.
"I think there could be a bit more flexibility around this and that could still happen this year," he said.
Despite this, Mr Saunders said restrictions have not negatively impacted the region's businesses and most of them are "now back on track".
"People are coming back and travelling and locals are supporting their businesses," he said.
"Businesses, for the most part, are doing the right thing."
Bathurst MP Paul Toole did not respond to Australian Community Media's requests for comment.