From pubs to restaurants, beauticians to hairdressers, retail shops to everything in between, the Upper Hunter has thrown its doors back open – albeit with very little notice.

The Dungog, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter local government areas were among 12 to have their lockdown orders lifted yesterday, after pleas from the local MP.

That announcement came at about 11:15am and by 1:00pm – when the lockdown lifted – the doors were flung open.

Singleton recorded two of the Hunter's 23 new COVID cases today but the shire will not be returned to lockdown as the cases were not infectious in the community.

Scone hotel manager James Smart said while yesterday's lockdown lift was "amazing news" the hotel certainly weren't ready for it.

Mr Smart said the first patron came in for a quick drink at about 1:02pm and there was a steady increase from there.

"We can't thank the community enough for [what] they’ve given us throughout the lockdown period as well, but last night was really nice to see people just come out and enjoy," he said.

Mr Smart said the newfound freedom was not a "free-for-all" and everyone respected the rules.

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Capacity limits also apply and Mr Smart is not looking forward to turning people away.

"I do expect that at some point over the next couple of days to have to pull up stumps on how many people we do have in the venue," he said.

But he says "it'll be fantastic" to welcome the full cohort of staff back.

"It is very hard to turn around to someone and say, 'Sorry we don’t have a shift for you,'" Mr Smart said.

"Hopefully now that we're back open we'll be able to have all those staff back."

Scruffy hair ready for major cuts

At salons across the region, locals with overgrown locks came in droves to get appointments for a trim or, in some cases, a major cut.

Singleton hairdresser Kira Eacott said the DIY haircut weren't too bad but she didn't spot any upcoming apprentices.

"We had quite a lineup yesterday to get through the door … and I think we managed to get in about 52 clients so that was pretty exciting — and [we're] back again today!"

Ms Eacott said it was a "mad dash" to get her team back in but they managed to reopen yesterday afternoon.

"They were really keen to get back in and on the tools and see all their clients again," she said.

Ms Eacott expects to work into the evening again tonight.

"Today will probably be busier than yesterday given there was such short notice yesterday on the lockdown ending," she said.

So I think there will be a lot more people out and about today."

Ms Eacott said the capacity limits and ongoing restrictions would keep "staff and clients safe, and keep us all up and running".

A final plea from her on behalf of hairdressers across the Upper Hunter: "Be patient, it is going to be busy".