You can feel the positive energy returning to our community. There are more smiles, business is picking up after a very tough month of April and people are actually getting out of their homes to shop and see friends.

This Friday sees another step being taken in a three step plan outlined from the Prime Minister last Friday to get back to a normal life. Remember that? A normal life with no restrictions.

Step 1 for NSW was confirmed to begin this Friday by Premier Gladys Berejiklian over the weekend.

If you haven't caught up on what we can do from Friday, here is a table;

We have written a lot of stories about cafe's and restaurants needing our help (which you have responded to magnificently) so let's look at other areas of life that is affected.

Outdoor pools offers no real change as the Memorial Baths are now closed for the season and a spokesperson for council said "We will be following the State Government protocols regarding the reopening of GSAC".

Weddings can now have up to 10 guests. If you were wanting to have a small, intimate wedding then this will see you pick up the phone and getting the big day organised.

When you make some enquiries you end up feeling that the Wedding Industry won't really return to normal until at least Step 3 which is where you can have gatherings of 100 people.

Lindy Cooke who is a Marriage Celebrant and Wedding Planner agreed, "10 guests won't make a difference, nor will 20 (Step 2) if you want the dream wedding, 100 will see people feeling more confident about making wedding plans again".

Lindy did pick up two bookings out of the blue last week one for next week and the other June 25.

DJ Deb who provides music for events including weddings also feels that Step 3 will be the big change for her business. "Step 1 won't benefit my business because I need the party element', Deb said.

Funerals is one area that any increase in numbers will benefit those that will suffer a loss in the days and weeks ahead.

Picture a scenario where there is a death and recently you can only have 10 people at the funeral including the funeral home staff. This could mean the partner, three children and two or three others so if there are two brothers or sisters with partners, someone has to miss out and watch the service via a live stream.

Warwick Binney from Binney's Family Funerals said "20 people will make a big difference to a funeral. It means that the immediate family can all attend as well as the extended family and close friends".

If the funeral is held outdoors then 30 people can attend making it a much better outcome for burials. An entire family will have the chance to say goodbye to their loved one.

Friday is the beginning towards a normal life.

We cannot take for granted what we have been through in the last 7-8 weeks, complacency will only see us back in lockdown with more restrictions if there is another outbreak of COVID-19.

Let's enjoy our new freedom but continue to practice social distancing and hand cleaning practices.