Others in neighbouring local government areas however, are still languishing in uncertainty, waiting and hoping for better news.

The disparity between restrictions in the regional areas was no more evident than among Canberra's district winegrowers which are spread mostly to the north and east of the ACT, some in one local government area, others in another.

Wineries in the Yass Valley local government area, many in and around Murrumbateman, will reopen their cellar doors for the first time in weeks.

Not so in Queanbeyan-Palerang, where the sea of red displaying stay-at-home orders remains spread across the district.

However, Karen Stratton, who runs the Norton Road Winery which remains in the lockdown zone, said the cautious approach by the NSW government to regional re-opening is one with which she is comfortable, even though it means businesses like hers struggle to stay afloat.

"I agree with the careful approach; there are still too many variables at play to just open everything up and risk it all," Ms Stratton said.

"I'm mindful that we have elderly family members, and friends who are undergoing cancer treatment.

"I have concerns, too about the coronavirus still circulating around our regional area that we're not aware of, so I think a cautious approach is a wise one.

"It's important to get on top of this.

"We can't just keep reopening and closing again whenever we get another case [of the virus]. It just doesn't work.

"And I have concerns too about how well health officials can keep proper track of virus cases out in regional areas.

"Wastewater testing doesn't work out in regional areas like our because most places have their own self-contained septic systems."

She said her wine sales had fallen away dramatically during the regional lockdown but by pivoting her niche Texas and and southern-style slow cooked burgers, ribs and brisket to takeaway, it has generated enough income to "pay the bills and keep the lights on".

"And thankfully we get really great support from the locals out here," she added.

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At Four Winds Winery just outside Murrumbateman, when owner Sarah Collingwood learned that her area was coming out from under the doona, she called Yass musician Bill Olson to come out and play on Saturday afternoon to lift the spirits of the locals.

"I felt we all needed some live music here and to support a local artist," Ms Collingwood said.

"It has been a struggle for a lot of businesses like ours and I don't expect that we'll be seeing too many people here on day one after lockdown.

"But just being able to trade again is a great relief."

Under the eased NSW stay-at-home restrictions in specific shires, up to 20 people will be able to gather in outdoor settings such as those at Four Winds.

Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per four square metres inside and one person per two square metres outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including on public transport, for front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises. Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.

Retail stores in nearby towns such as Yass can reopen under the one person per four square metre rule, and country folk will be looking far tidier than their city counterparts due to the return of hairdressers and nail salons.

The Eurobodalla, Goulburn-Mulwarre and Snowy Monaro shires also will stay under lockdown which means the 2021 NSW ski season is all but a lost cause. The season usually ends on the first weekend in October.

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