Cowra businesses are being warned they must follow the NSW government's COVID safety warnings and public health orders or risk a penalty of up to $55,000.
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The Cowra region has a mere 15 registered COVID safe businesses, figures from the NSW Department of Customer Service show.
The figures are as at July 13, 2020.
Registering as COVID safe is a crucial step in compliance, to be done after downloading a COVID safety plan.
Department data shows similarly low take up of registration across the region with only 20 businesses registered in Young and Parkes, 19 in both Cootamundra and Forbes, nine in Grenfell, seven in Boorowa and just three in Canowindra.
The figures are in stark contrast to the number of businesses who are receiving the JobKeeper allowance.
In Cowra 321 businesses signed up for JobKeeper assistance.
In Parkes 375 businesses are receiving JobKeeper for their workforce, in Forbes 351 and Grenfell 161.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has expressed concerns about a lack of compliance in NSW in some hospitality venues, in particular cafes and restaurants.
While more than 117,500 COVID safety plans have been downloaded in less than a month, she said 10,500 businesses - less than 10 per cent - had followed up with the necessary registration.
"While communities embrace the easing of restrictions and we kick start the economy, safety must come first and businesses cannot be complacent," Ms Berejiklian said.
"Whether it's a café, construction business, cinema or sports club, all organisations must ensure the safety of staff and customers."
Any business found in breach will be held to account and could face a penalty of up to $55,000 or an on the spot fine of $5000.
Breach of orders made under the Public Health Act 2010 is a criminal offence and attracts heavy penalties.
In the case of any business, the maximum penalty is $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.
