Whenever Darwinites have been forced to don a mask before entering a licensed venue, hospitality stalwart Anneliese Grazioli says it has led to an immediate impact on business.
"The mask mandate was a huge hit, especially when it first came in at the [Darwin] Waterfront," Ms Grazioli said.
"I would say we were at least 50 to 70 per cent down on what we should have been doing."
When Darwin's first mask mandate was introduced, near the start of the pandemic, Ms Grazioli was managing two different venues near the CBD.
Now, she runs her own bar and, she says, although patrons are typically quite good about adhering to the public health measure, it is still affecting her business's bottom line.
"Since it became a more permanent thing, it's been less of an issue, but it definitely still causes issues, and the turnover has definitely been down because of the mask mandate," Ms Grazioli said.
The Northern Territory introduced its indoor mask mandate on New Year's Eve, and it's been in place ever since.
However, on Tuesday, Chief Minister Michael Gunner told ABC Radio Darwin his government was close to lifting the measure.
He did not provide a date, but he did say the rule was likely to be lifted "sooner rather than later".
Mr Gunner also hinted that the Territory's QR check-in app may also soon be scaled back to only operate as a vaccine pass check.
Businesses say 'it's time'
Alex Bruce — the head of the Territory's peak hospitality industry body — said news that the indoor mask mandate could soon be lifted was a relief for struggling Territory hospitality businesses.
He also urged the government to go a step further and get rid of some other public health measures, including the QR code check-in system, vaccine passport and vaccine mandate for public-facing workers.
"Suburban trade is still, to this day, about 30 per cent down," he said.
"Unfortunately, the CBD is hit harder, especially that late night trade.
Darwin nightclub owner Tim Palmer — whose business has been closed since the start of January — said the indoor mask mandate had led to a 30 per cent decrease in his club's revenue, and things had been even worse the first time patrons had been forced to mask up.
He said that now was the time for the Territory to look ahead and move to a new phase of the pandemic.
"It's time now to stop the pain for the hospitality industry, and we've got to get set up and get going for the dry season, which is going to fast approach," he said.
"Let's just jump a little faster."
The Northern Territory is not the only jurisdiction scaling-back its COVID-19 public health measures.
In recent days, NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania have all announced an easing of mandatory mask-wearing, QR code check-ins and/or density limits to begin over the coming weeks.
Mr Bruce said the Territory was "moving in the right direction" in reconsidering the indoor mask mandate and other measures, "[but] we think it could move sooner".
"Any news of an imminent mask mandate lifting, we think we will see more vibrancy and activity back in the city, which would be a good thing," he said.
Tourism operator says caution is necessary
Rob Woods — the owner of Ethical Tourism NT — said he looked forward to welcoming more tourists, especially now that international borders had reopened, but he warned against easing COVID-19 measures too quickly.
"This is only great if you've got the right processes in place, that we don't turn it into a super-spreading industry," he told ABC Radio Darwin on Monday.
"There's not much point bringing people in, or letting them go out, if two months later, or one month later, we've got to close down again because they're rapidly bringing in new viruses."
Mr Woods said his staff would require tourists to wear face masks and undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) before hopping on the tour bus in the morning for as long as possible.
