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SYDNEY - Restaurants, cafes and bars in New South Wales were reopening on Friday after a two-month shutdown under coronavirus lockdown measures, boosting the federal governments bid to get people back in work and the economy back on track.

The easing of quarantine measures in NSW comes just a day after the national statistics office reported unprecedented record high job losses and Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned that worse was still to come.

In Sydney, locals braved a cold, wet morning to catch up with friends and family over a coffee.

It is such a treat, said Jess Best, who met up with a friend in a cafe in the citys eastern suburbs. To be able to sit down with other people around and chat to my friend. I can have a normal morning, not hiding away in my home.