COUNCILLOR Alex Christian thinks life could "return to normal" in Bathurst in as little as two weeks, but his colleagues aren't so sure.
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Coronavirus restrictions have forced many Bathurst businesses to shut, while others struggle to stay open due to reduced demand.
But with no new cases of COVID-19 identified in Bathurst in more than two weeks, Cr Chrisitan feels it's time to look at lifting restrictions.
He detailed his thoughts on his public Facebook page on Thursday.
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"If we go another two weeks without a new case it is my opinion that the Bathurst region begins the reopening process," he wrote.
"In Australia there are about 135 local government areas without a single case of COVID-19, however, they've had to close their businesses and face a huge economic downtown, if not total ruin.
"... This virus is primarily clustered to major population areas such as Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong.
"If those major population centres remain in lockdown, coupled with 'selective quarantine' I can't see why the rest of the state, with little to no cases, should go to rack and ruin."
In replying to comments on the post, he added that he would advocate for a gradual reopening over a period of one to two weeks, and would want the Bells Line of Road and the Great Western Highway closed to all non-essential vehicles.
His post attracted both supportive and critical comments from residents.
Other councillors, though, don't share his optimism.
Cr Warren Aubin said governments needed to "tread very carefully" when it comes to lifting restrictions, and that now was not the right time.
"I don't feel safe doing that," he said.
"We're coming into winter. We're coming into the worst of the worst.
"I really think we've got to get through the rest of April and May as well before we start thinking about that."
If we go another two weeks without a new case it is my opinion that the Bathurst region begins the reopening process
- Bathurst councillor Alex Christian
Deputy mayor Ian North said he understands what Cr Christian is saying, but he thinks reopening in a couple of weeks would be too soon.
He said it was essential to listen to what the experts are saying, which is that restrictions might need to be in place for six months.
"We don't want to go and open up that border and all of a sudden one or two cases sneak in," he said, adding that one person could infect hundreds.
"... We need to be smart and, if isolation is working, limiting chances of transmission, and it's going to have to be six months, then let's do it."
Ultimately it will be up to state and federal governments, not individual councils, to determine when to lift restrictions.
