The business sector had been bracing for the worst when stay-at-home orders were implemented for the Orange, Cabonne and Blayney local government areas last week.

Fortunately, they were lifted midnight Tuesday and the following day businesses reopened to more relaxed restrictions.

Leaf Cafe was among the hospitality venues who had remained open for the past week, operating a food delivery service and doing take-away coffee but owner Peter Son admitted it had been tough.

"I can't describe this feeling," he said of being properly open again. "[It's] a very touching moment when I see people coming back... and greeting [each other] and saying hello. Even during the coffee rush, I'm happy, really happy."

Mr Son added that even if the lockdown happens again, despite the financial stress it would inevitably cause, he wanted to remain open.

"As long as my customers want me to be open or they need me, I will be there with my staff as well," he said.

Clothing retailer Blowes had similarly been open throughout lockdown, but business had been incredibly quiet, manager Luke Morris said.

"We reduced our hours and staff had to take more days off than normal. So it was good to be able to open the doors at nine o'clock [today], and see a few more faces around the street again - or eyes, should I say," Mr Morris joked.

"[It's a relief] for everybody, mentally, more than anything. I know myself - I've got kids at home and just trying to manage study and things like that [while] working, it was a relief [to have the lockdown end]. I couldn't wait to get back to work," he added.

Throughout the lockdown and restrictions Mr Morris said it was also encouraging to see everyone working together to try and mitigate any potential spread of the virus.

"I haven't seen anyone walking around without a mask on. It's been good," he said.

"The Orange community always gets behind each other and backs each other, so I didn't really have any [concern] that it was going to be longer than a week anyway."

The same day Orange, Cabonne and Blayney came out of lockdown, the NSW premier announced that the Greater Sydney lockdown would last at least another four weeks. So too would restrictions for regional NSW.

Overnight 177 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in NSW, 46 of which had been in the community while infectious.

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