The NSW government announced last week that outdoor pools could re-open on Monday ahead of the previously announced 70 per cent vaccination milestone.

But the Premier's Monday announcement about the 80 per cent and beyond roadmap said indoor pools cannot open until December 1.

"It's just us and nightclubs on the first of December," said Tyler Coughlan, who manages his family's business Coughlan's Swim Centre at Warners Bay.

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A government spokesperson said the decision was made by the state's crisis cabinet upon advice from NSW Health.

Indoor pools had not been announced in the roadmap before Monday, but Mr Coughlan said they had previously been included in restrictions alongside gyms and indoor sporting facilities, which are allowed to open at 70 per cent double dose.

"I was under the impression things were going to reopen along with gyms and indoor recreation," he said. "We were getting the place ready to operate in two weeks time."

"But they must have thought about it differently for this type of environment. I can't quite understand why. It's not even based on percentage of vaccination rates.

"It's definitely a kick in the guts."

Coughlan's Swim Centre has three indoor pools - a 25 metre lap and squad pool, a smaller teaching pool and a hydrotherapy pool.

Mr Coughlan pointed out the ruling means there will be no local hydrotherapy pools available for people to use for rehabilitation.

He said the next few months would be tough considering outdoor pools will be open in what is a busy period for industry.

"Going into warmer months, it's our bread and butter," he said. "We need to capitalise on that demand.

"We're not hurting financially heaps at this stage but in next two months it will be hard. We have 40-odd staff and at the moment no one's got a job. Everyone is on the $750 disaster payment.

"Outdoor pools could open from yesterday for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. They are able to restart learn to swim and squad training. It just adds salt to the wound.

"We're going to lose business to council pools. If they can go somewhere else you wouldn't blame them."

The Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) said in a statement it had sought clarification on the ruling from the government.

"Entering the school holidays without swimming lessons increases the risk of drowning for NSW families," the statement said.

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