Oberon residents encouraged to be optimistic but also cautious as lockdown lifts

That's mayor Kathy Sajowitz's message to the community of Oberon as the area finds its footing coming out of COVID lockdown.

Cr Sajowtiz said while residents were pleased about the easing of restrictions it was crucial to still be cautious.

"My personal view is that this is a bit of a mindset, we're used to being careful not only in Oberon but everywhere, we need to come out of this slowly for our own health," she said.

She suspects there will be an increase in COVID cases when regional travel opens up on November 1.

"We need to remain vigilant when that happens, especially for a small town like this that can't support a major outbreak with our limited medical services," she said.

"COVID is still a thing despite coming out of lockdown, I think time will tell how that will look with the increase in cases and how we assimilate COVID into our daily lives like we do the flu."

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While there was still some anxiety around coming out of lockdown Cr Sajowitz encouraged residents to be optimistic and she was pleased to see people getting back into the swing of things.

"I think generally people are happy they can actually meet up with one another again.

"It's nice to hear that residents are delighted to be going out for lunch or dinner, it's such a small thing to make us happy and improve our outlook, something we might have taken for granted before but we don't now," she said.

She said she was also pleased to see the high vaccination rates of the Oberon community.

"Vaccination rates are quite high in Oberon now and I commend those community members, I was quite pleased with that.

"To see 90 odd per cent first dose and when those people get their second dose it's going to make Oberon look pretty good," she said.

"Of course people who aren't double vaxxed there's still some things they can't do until December 1 but everyone has a choice and that's the consequence of that choice."

Cr Sajowitz said if people were feeling unwell they should get tested.

"We haven't had any cases for awhile now but if you're feeling unwell get tested."

There is an Oberon Drive Through Multi-Purpose Service operating at the hospital.